Authorities have identified the source of the propane leak that led to a deadly explosion and fire at the Violanta factory in central Greece, killing five female workers, as investigators intensify a wide-ranging criminal probe into the tragedy.
A special unit from the fire service located the exact leak point at a joint connecting propane pipes that run from above-ground tanks to the factory’s underground area. Investigators found a crack at the pipe connection that allowed propane to escape, saturate the ground, and eventually accumulate in the basement, where the fatal blast occurred.
According to officials involved in the investigation, an automatic water pump operating in the basement likely generated the spark that ignited the accumulated gas.
Experts examining the site pointed to multiple safety failures. They said the system lacked a pressure gauge that could have detected a drop in pressure and triggered an alarm in case of a leak. They also reported the absence of a gas detection mechanism. In addition, the way the pipes were constructed and installed allegedly caused electronic corrosion, making pipe damage and punctures a matter of time without additional safeguards.
A joint investigative team concluded that poor maintenance, insufficient inspections, and heavy trucks used during nearby asphalting works contributed to the damage at the pipe joint.
Fire service investigators carried out excavation work with regional crews to reach the pipeline and confirm the leak location. A prosecutor and court-appointed experts were present during the inspection. Authorities plan to document the leak point with high-resolution cameras as part of the evidence file.
The Fire Service’s arson crimes division has also conducted raids at the factory, the owner’s home, company offices, and the residence of the company’s safety technician. Officers seized computers, tablets, electronic equipment, and accounting and business documents considered relevant to the case. All material will be analyzed and forwarded to the prosecutor, who has issued a broad order to investigate responsibilities in all directions.
Investigators say their work has faced delays because gas leakage has reportedly continued at the site even days after the explosion.
The case has also raised questions about the frequency and thoroughness of labor inspections, with reports indicating the last inspection took place during the summer.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine accountability for one of the country’s deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.
