# Violanta factory explosion legal proceedings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/violanta-factory-explosion-legal-proceedings > Updated: 2026-09-16T08:05:38.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2. Following a fatal explosion and fire at the Violanta biscuit factory in Trikala on January 26, 2026, which killed five employees, legal proceedings have centered on the factory owner, Konstantinos Tziortziotis. Investigations by the Fire Service and the National Technical University of Athens identified a long-term propane leak caused by a heavily corroded underground pipe as the cause of the incident. Tziortziotis, who faces charges including manslaughter through negligence, arson, and causing bodily harm, was released from pretrial detention under restrictive conditions, such as a ban on traveling abroad. In response, the families of the victims have initiated legal appeals. Specifically, the family of deceased employee Vasiliki Skambardoni is petitioning the Prosecutor of Appeals in Larissa to challenge the release. Represented by lawyers Vaso Pantazi and Dimostheni Pantazopoulou, the family argues that the Trikala Misdemeanor Court’s decision to release the owner went against the prosecutor’s recommendation and that he should not have been released before completing his six-month provisional detention. The family’s legal team is also presenting new evidence to the Prosecutor of Appeals to upgrade the charges from manslaughter through negligence to manslaughter with potential intent, alleging that the owner was aware of the propane leak. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-16: Violanta factory owner's release appealed by victim's family The family of a victim of the Violanta factory explosion is appealing the release of owner Kostas Tziortziotis, seeking to upgrade charges to manslaughter with potential intent. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/violanta-explosion-family-appeals-release-of-main-defendant ### 2026-09-01: Violanta owner released under conditions after fatal factory explosion Violanta factory owner Konstantinos Tziortziotis has been released under restrictive conditions following a fatal explosion in Trikala that killed five workers. Families are appealing the decision. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/violanta-owner-kostas-tziortziotis-released-under-restrictions --- Cite as: Violanta factory explosion legal proceedings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/violanta-factory-explosion-legal-proceedings