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Motor Oil refinery explosion kills two workers in Greece
A fatal explosion occurred at the Motor Oil refinery in Agioi Theodoroi, Greece, during scheduled preventive maintenance on Friday, October 9, 2026. The incident, which involved a gas decompression that ejected a cap without causing a fire, resulted in the deaths of two workers, identified as Albanian nationals Robert Cakaj, 43, and Dorian Hysa, 50.
In addition to the fatalities, five workers were injured in total. One 50-year-old worker remains in critical condition in intensive care at Thriasio Hospital with severe traumatic brain injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation into the safety conditions and the implementation of protection protocols during the maintenance work on heat exchangers in unit U-607.
Following the accident, Greek police have made several arrests. A 59-year-old external contractor responsible for supervising the works was arrested on charges of causing an explosion and public danger. Additionally, three Motor Oil employees—a 36-year-old foreman, a 50-year-old Health and Safety manager, and a 34-year-old project operator—were also arrested. A 67-year-old individual is currently being sought by authorities for related offenses.
Entities
Agioi Theodori · Agioi Theodoroi · Corinth Hospital · Dorian Hysa · Labor Inspection Body · Motor Oil · Motor Oil Hellas · OSETEE · Robert Cakaj · SYRIZA · Thriasio Hospital
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 29 SOURCES] The incident occurred during extensive preventive maintenance at the refinery. dete.gr · www.e-radio.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · fimotro.gr · www.healthweb.gr · +20 more
- [● 29 SOURCES] One worker, aged 43 or 44, died following the accident. dete.gr · www.e-radio.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · www.healthweb.gr · www.usay.gr · +21 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] The contractor of the external agency was arrested following the incident. www.e-radio.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr · dete.gr · www.thebest.gr · +14 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Five workers were injured in total during the incident. dete.gr · prin.gr · fimotro.gr · cretaone.gr · www.healthweb.gr · +2 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] A gas decompression caused a cap to be ejected, resulting in an explosion without ignition. dete.gr · www.healthweb.gr · gr.euronews.com · www.iefimerida.gr · www.zougla.gr · +6 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] A second worker, aged 50, remains in critical condition in intensive care with severe traumatic brain injuries. dete.gr · www.e-radio.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · fimotro.gr · www.healthweb.gr · +15 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Three Motor Oil employees were arrested for the accident. www.zarpanews.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.reader.gr · www.ertnews.gr · cretaone.gr · +2 more