The three were detained on Tuesday afternoon and are expected to appear before the Trikala prosecutor on Wednesday to give statements as part of a preliminary investigation into the causes of the explosion and subsequent fire.

According to information available so far, the owner is facing charges including manslaughter, causing an explosion and arson by negligence, and causing bodily harm.

Special teams from the Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes (DAEE) are continuing to gather evidence at the scene, with the stated aim of fully establishing the circumstances and the exact causes of the incident.

The arrests come amid escalating labour unrest in Trikala. On Tuesday morning, a strike march took place following a call by the Trikala Labour Centre, in response to the deadly accident at the factory, where five women workers have now been confirmed dead and other employees remain in hospital with injuries.

The explosion occurred in the early hours of Monday, when a powerful blast triggered a major fire at the factory. Thirteen workers were inside at the time. Eight managed to escape on their own, while the explosion struck a section of the plant where five women were working. Three were found dead in the rubble, a fourth was later recovered, and the fifth missing worker was subsequently found dead, bringing the toll to five.

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