News

France opens manslaughter probe into holiday home blaze

Firefighters try to contain the blaze at a vacation home in the town of Wintzenheim, north-eastern France, Wednesday Aug. 9, 2023. A fire ripped through a vacation home for adults with disabilities in eastern France on Wednesday, killing several people, the head of rescue operations said.(TNN/dpa via AP)

French prosecutors said Friday they had opened a manslaughter investigation into the deaths of 11 people in a fire in a holiday home that failed to meet safety standards.

The home was unlicensed and flouting fire security standards required for hosting guests, according to local officials.

Friday’s statement said that the case had been taken over by Paris prosecutors, who were investigating for “involuntary manslaughter and grievous bodily harm”.

The property was hosting a group of adults with learning disabilities and their companions at the peak of the French summer holiday season in the picturesque area.

The guests on the lower floor of the timbered residence all managed to escape alive, but those on the upper floor found themselves trapped.

The probe announced Friday is to “determine the precise causes of the fire, and any criminal liability”, the statement said.

President Emmanuel Macron called the deaths a “tragedy” this week, while Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne vowed that “all light” would be shed on what she described as an “appalling” disaster.

Adewale Nurudeen

Recent Posts

US authorities slam Air Peace boss, Onyema, with fresh fraud charges

The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has been hit with new charges…

2 years ago

Report: NUPRC has not approved $1.3bn Shell Renaissance deal

  Contrary to reports in a section of the media that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum…

2 years ago

There’s a plan to derail Tinubu’s petroleum industry revolution

Tajudeen Suleiman It was a pleasant shock for me to read the National Bureau of…

2 years ago

NNPCL’s acquisition of OVH: Reps member, Miriam Onuoha, slams Atiku, says oil and gas sector should not be politicised

  A member of the House of Representatives, representing Isiala Mbano / Onuimo / Okigwe…

2 years ago

Fidelity Bank affirms commitment to data protection, strong corporate governance

  Leading financial institution in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc, has assured its customers of unwavering…

2 years ago

NGX rates Fidelity Bank highest on corporate governance

  Fidelity Bank Plc complies with the highest corporate governance standards as the leading commercial…

2 years ago

This website uses cookies.