TRIKALA, Greece (AP) — An explosion and fire at a cookie factory in central Greece killed five female night shift workers and left seven injured, authorities said Monday.
The injured, including a firefighter, were hospitalized after the blast at the Violanta biscuit plant near the city of Trikala, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Athens.
The blast occurred during the night shift, and the resulting fire gutted the plant. Fire crews battled the blaze for hours before recovering four bodies — all women — from the destroyed building. Parts of a fifth female body were later recovered, and were to be formally identified using DNA tests, fire officials said.
“Unfortunately, the day began in the shadow of the tragic accident in Trikala, at a modern food production facility,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a televised address at a Cabinet meeting. “Our thoughts today are with the families of the victims. On behalf of the entire Cabinet, I express to them our deepest condolences.”
Violanta, a locally-based business, has national distribution for a range of products, including wholewheat cookies, chocolate‑sandwich biscuits and cereal bars.
Police said investigators suspect the explosion may have originated near the ovens, which operate around the clock. Six workers and one firefighter were being treated at a hospital in Trikala, none in serious condition.
A firefighter sprays water after an explosion and fire at a cookie factory in Trikala, central Greece, on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (George Kidonas/InTime News via AP)
Workers walk past a burned building after an explosion and fire at a cookie factory in Trikala, central Greece, on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (George Kidonas/InTime News via AP)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The NHL postponed the Columbus Blue Jackets' home game against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night because of a major winter storm that created dangerous travel conditions across much of the United States.
Almost a foot of snow fell in Columbus, Ohio, and windchill factors were forecast to be around minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday night. The game is rescheduled for March 9 in Columbus.
The NBA postponed games in Memphis and Milwaukee on Sunday because of the storm.
The Dallas Mavericks tried twice to fly to Milwaukee for their Sunday night game against the Bucks, but conditions didn't allow it. A decision to postpone was announced a few hours before tipoff. Food that had been prepared for the game was donated to shelters in the Milwaukee area.
Earlier Sunday, a game between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies was postponed about three hours before tipoff.
Reschedule dates were not announced.
The NBA also changed the start times for two games on Monday: Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets tipped off at 3 p.m. ET instead of 7 p.m., and the Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks at 1:30 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m.
The Memphis area was experiencing a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain that began falling early Saturday morning and continued Sunday morning. South and east of Memphis, freezing rain collected on power lines and trees, causing widespread outages and blocked roads. Authorities had recommended people stay off the streets as the wintry mix and frigid temperatures caused a refreeze.
The Nuggets said they planned to fly out at some point Sunday, depending on the conditions at Memphis International Airport. They are scheduled to play at home Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.
The Grizzlies are scheduled to be in Houston for a game against the Rockets on Monday.
An NBA G League game scheduled for Monday between the Memphis Hustle and Stockton Kings in Southaven, Mississippi, was postponed and rescheduled for Feb. 19.
At least two college women's basketball games were postponed: No. 17 Tennessee’s visit to No. 18 Mississippi on Monday and Tulane's visit to Memphis on Tuesday. Reschedule dates were not announced.
In men's basketball, a game featuring Tennessee at No. 21 Georgia was pushed back a day from Tuesday to Wednesday. Purdue Fort Wayne and IU Indianapolis, and Southern Illinois and Evansville had Sunday games postponed without make-up dates announced.
The schedule changes come after dozens of games were moved around last week in anticipation of the storm.
Separately, on Saturday, the NBA postponed a game between the Warriors and Timberwolves to “prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community” after the fatal shooting of a man by a federal officer in a district located less than two miles away from where the Timberwolves play.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
People sled at Philadelphia Art Museum steps by the Rocky statue during a winter storm in Philadelphia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Pedestrians cross the street along Broadway during a winter storm Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (45) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
David Bentley shovels ice and snow from his driveway during a winter storm Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
