Five women died and several were injured in an overnight industrial explosion and massive factory fire near Trikala, central Greece.
Five Women Killed in Early-Morning Fire at Violanta Biscuit Plant Near Trikala
A devastating industrial fire at the Violanta biscuit factory near Trikala, in central Greece, killed five women working the overnight shift and sent several others, including a firefighter, to hospital. The blaze began shortly before 4:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, after what witnesses described as a loud blast that was heard in the city and nearby villages. Greek authorities and emergency services confirmed the deaths after hours of search-and-recovery work in a production wing that had been badly damaged by fire and structural collapse.
The plant sits about 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Athens and is a well-known local employer with national distribution of biscuits, cookies, and cereal bars. Thirteen people were on duty when the incident began. Eight escaped. Five women did not. Their bodies were recovered from wreckage after firefighters gained access to the most badly damaged sections of the building. Identification in some cases required DNA analysis because of the intensity of the fire.