A devastating industrial fire has resulted in multiple casualties at a food manufacturing facility in central Greece, with rescue operations continuing into Monday. The tragedy unfolded at the Violanta biscuit factory near Trikala during early morning operations when 13 employees were present on site.
Local authorities confirmed three fatalities with two workers remaining unaccounted for following the intense blaze. Emergency responders successfully evacuated eight staff members from the burning structure before recovering the victims’ remains. Drone surveillance footage captured massive plumes of dark smoke engulfing the industrial area, illustrating the severity of the incident.
Witnesses reported hearing a substantial explosion preceding the rapid spread of the fire, though official investigators have not yet determined the exact ignition source. The Greek fire service deployed substantial resources to combat the flames, including 40 specialized firefighters and 13 emergency vehicles.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis provided preliminary medical assessments, indicating six factory employees and one firefighter required hospitalization. All were reported in stable condition, primarily undergoing treatment for smoke inhalation and related respiratory complications. The minister emphasized that despite the traumatic event, the injured were expected to make full recoveries.
The Violanta factory, known for biscuit production, sustained significant structural damage as firefighting teams worked to fully extinguish remaining hot spots. An official investigation has been launched to examine safety protocols and determine liability for one of Greece’s most serious industrial accidents in recent years.