Trikala: Allegations of Gas Leak Before Biolanda Factory Explosion

Serious allegations of a gas leak at the "Biolanda" biscuit factory in Trikala, Greece, which was hit by a deadly explosion, have come to light. The mother of Elena Katsarou, one of the five workers who lost their lives, stated that there had been reports of a gas smell for some time.

"For over a month, we were telling them it smells like gas, but no one paid attention," Mrs. Androniki told protothema.gr, who also works at the factory. "Everything, cables thrown down, they never maintained anything, nothing. Sockets on the floor, we didn't know what to do, and we kept telling them, but they did nothing."

Elena's sister, speaking to MEGA TV, confirmed the allegations, saying that "when they went to the toilets, it smelled very strongly of gas." She added that the staff reported the problem, but no action was taken.

In contrast, the head of the night shift, in statements to MEGA TV, claimed that "nothing smelled" and that the factory was in excellent condition. "The factory was more perfect than perfect... Modern factory, the machines were perfect."

Investigations by the fire crimes department are continuing to determine the causes of the explosion.