Haut du Mont explosion charges being considered

Tuesday 01 October 2024

Charges are being considered in relation to the explosion that collapsed Haut du Mont flats and killed 10 islanders almost two years ago.

The initial case files have been completed and submitted to the Law Officers Department for consideration of charges, according to a government statement.

It comes six months after the police confirmed that interviews had taken place with three suspects in connection to offences of gross negligence manslaughter.

Pictured: The explosion at Pier Road claimed the lives of ten islanders in December 2022.

The statement said: “The States of Jersey Police and Health and Safety Inspectorate investigation teams have completed the initial case files which comprise a comprehensive collection of evidence, documents, and expert opinion in relation to the case.

“This has been submitted to the Law Officers Department for consideration of charges while the investigation teams continue to gather material and undertake further enquiries.

“Family liaison officers continue to support the bereaved families.”

The incident on 10 December 2022 entirely collapsed the Andium Homes-run flats and 10 islanders lost their lives.

A police investigation – dubbed Operation Spire – was launched, and has so far involved 2,024 lines of enquiry, 1,157 statements and 1,988 exhibits.

It emerged last week that the Government has spent £11.6m on the response to the Haut du Mont explosion so far.

Earlier this year, Police Chief Robin Smith revealed that the force was “nearing the conclusion” of their investigation, and that the three suspects arrested last August on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter had been interviewed again.

The nine residents who died in the incident on 10 December 2022 were 72-year-old Peter Bowler, Raymie Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years) and 63-year-old Billy Marsden.

Kathy McGinness (73), who lived in an adjacent block at 35 Haut du Mont, was injured as a result of the explosion and died at the General Hospital on Christmas Day.