Homicide charges laid in Mexican hotel blast By QMI Agency Posted 16 minutes ago
Reports say homicide charges have been laid against five employees and contractors at a Mexican resort for an explosion that killed seven people.
Chris Charmont, 41, and his nine-year-old son John from Drumheller were among five Canadian tourists and two Mexicans killed in the Nov. 14 blast at the Grand Riviera Princess Hotel in Playa del Carmen.
On Monday, the assistant attorney general for Quintana Roo, Rodolfo Garcia Pliego, said the charges range from homicide and negligent injury to professional liability, reports Diario Provincia.
When reached Monday night, Charmont’s widow Terra declined comment about the charges.
Pat Hoffman, whose sister Darlene Ferguson, 52, of Adrossan, Alta., was also killed in the resort explosion, said he was pleased with the latest news.
“We are pleased the investigation is still going on,” said Hoffman, who was also staying at the resort for a family wedding when the explosion happened.
“I’m glad it is still going forward and hope it keeps on going forward.”
In the days following the explosion, Mexican officials pointed to an accumulation of swamp or sewage gas to blame for the blast but that was later ruled out.
A probe was launched and in December, a municipal investigation indicated a gas leak was the cause.
The hotel was fined almost $500,000 for making unauthorized changes to its gas pipes.
Documents showing the building’s original construction plans didn’t match up with the current structure before it exploded.
Plans included a number of gas structures that weren’t accounted for in the documents.
Also killed in the explosion were Elgin Barron, 51, of Guelph, Ont., and Malcolm Johnson, 33, of Nanaimo, B.C.
From www.wellandtribune.ca
