While the instruction was almost closed, the city of Paris has appealed that new experts analyze the causes of the 2019 deadly accident.
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Who is responsible for the devastating gas explosion on rue de Trevisi (9 e arrondissement) on January 12, 2019, one of the most serious accidents of this type ever listed in Paris, with four dead , Seventy-six wounded and hundreds of victims? The investigating judges had so far received a scenario in which they dismissed the responsibility of the GRDF gas distributor, and placed on the saddle only the trustee of the condominium concerned and the city of Paris. Maybe they will have to revise this version.
At the request of the City of Paris, the Court of Appeal of Paris ordered the investigating judges, Wednesday, March 30, to launch new expertise to analyze the causes of the accident, “in order to Guarantee respect for the right to a fair trial and the rights of the defense “. During the instruction, the town hall had repeatedly challenged the conclusions of the first experts, and claimed counter-expertise. But without being heard. She had appealed.
On Wednesday, the Court actually showed more receptive to its recriminations that investigating judges. “Whatever the merits of the final expertise and the supplemental expertise”, magistrates believe that professionals who worked on the file so far were logically specialized in explosions and fires, but not subjects become Centrals in the investigation, such as the evolution of the soil during the years preceding the accident. For the Court of Appeal, it is therefore necessary to designate a new college of experts “to complementary specialties, not only in fire and explosion, but also in geology, geotechnics or hydrology”.
Sanding sag
While the instruction was practically close since December 2021, so it is well reopened for months or more. “Where we expected a trial for 2023 or 2024, there will be an additional period of time,” says Linda Zaourar, the president of one of the two associations of victims. That is why the victims rejoice that a framework agreement has ended up in January with the town hall, to financially in charge of all the victims without waiting for the criminal trial today repulsed. “No victim has yet been compensated,” says M me Zaourar.
With this decision of appeal, the City of Paris marks an important point. “We hope that these counter-expertise will finally make light on the real causes of the accident, commented on Sabrina Goldman, lawyer of the town hall. The report of the first experts had far too much mistakes and inconsistencies.” / p>
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