Five female workers have been confirmed dead following a powerful explosion and fire at the Violanta biscuit factory in Trikala, central Greece, though authorities have so far recovered four bodies as search operations continue for the fifth victim.
According to the Athens-Macedonia News Agency (AMNA), rescue efforts remain in full progress at the factory complex, where a large fire of unknown cause — now under investigation — broke out earlier Monday. Fire Service crews, specialized EMAK disaster response units and heavy machinery are working to access all areas of the severely damaged building.
The explosion occurred in the factory’s basement, where production ovens were operating. The force of the blast completely destroyed the section where the women had been working, leveling walls, collapsing the roof and causing the floor to give way, leaving a large void in the structure.
All five women were working the night shift, a choice reportedly made so they could care for their children during the day.
While four bodies have been recovered, other media outlets reported that human remains were also found during the ongoing search. The forensic service in the nearby city of Larissa is expected to determine whether those remains belong to the four recovered victims or to the fifth woman, whose body has not yet been formally located. Authorities have not issued an official confirmation.
The bodies that have been recovered were transferred to the General Hospital of Larissa for autopsies. Relatives have been asked to provide DNA samples to assist with the identification process.
In a statement, Greece’s 5th Regional Health Authority said seven people were injured in the incident, including one firefighter. None of the injuries are life-threatening. but all were hospitalized as a precaution.
