Violanta: Revelations about the gas leak and explosion

New revelations are coming to light regarding the deadly explosion at Violanta, through the testimonies of employees and technicians. The testimonies highlight negligence of safety protocols and inadequate training of employees.

A worker, who acted as a plumber without a license, testified that together with the owner Kostas Tziortziotis, they were looking for the source of the strong gas odor since the beginning of December, without result. Also, employees report that the smell was so strong that they were forced to cover their faces.

According to the testimonies, there was no adequate training to deal with accidents. An employee reported that he was assigned to install a new gas line by K. Tziortziotis without having the necessary permit.

One employee testified that she informed her supervisor about the gas odor, but was told not to worry. Another employee reported that the smell was so strong that it caused her eyes to sting.

The production supervisor stated ignorance of the odor, while a mechanical engineer who was called for inspection, found a large propane leak.

V.M., an eyewitness to the explosion, described the dramatic moments and the efforts to rescue his colleagues.