Former mayor/ deputy mayor and government officials among those in dock
The start of the trial into culpability for five deaths caused by the collapse of a road running between two quarries in Borba over five years ago has been delayed – yet again – and will now only begin in October.
This was a disaster that provoked an outcry, for the simple reason it appeared to be an ‘accident that was waiting to happen’ (in full knowledge of those in positions of responsibility).
For this reason, in the dock are the former mayor António Anselmo, charged with the murder of each one of the victims; former deputy mayor Joaquim Espanhol, charged with three counts of murder by omission; government officials with the DGEG – general directorate of energy and geology – each facing two counts of murder by omission, and the company ALA de Almeida Lda, which held the quarry’s operating licence and whose manager has since died. ALA de Almeida’s technical manager is also facing the same charges as those against his company: 10 counts of violating safety rules.
It was on the afternoon of November 19, 2018 that a large section of the EM (municipal road) 255 between Borba and Vila Viçosa collapsed, sending a cascade of rocks, blocks of marble and earth sliding into two adjacent quarries.
The incident resulted in the deaths of two men working in one of the quarries (the only one ‘still active’), and three others who were unlucky enough to be in cars driving along the stretch of the road at the time.
As the complicated story of the parlous condition of the road emerged, State authorities found themselves in the position of feeling duty-bound to compensate the families of the victims, which they did in 2019, to tune of €1.6 million.
But as compensation was decided, so too was an administrative action filed AGAINST the six defendants facing trial, Borba town council, and the three heirs of the ALA de Almeida manager who has died: the State means to get its money back, and essentially filed its administrative action on the basis that the men facing trial will be found guilty.
The tactic has not gone down well with any of those cited in the action, particularly Borba town council, and the former mayor/ deputy mayor.
Says Lusa: “One argument concerns the ‘prejudicial question of this action in the face of pending criminal proceedings”.
Essentially, the State should have waited for a result in this case, not charged ahead with demands for compensation from people who have not yet been tried in a court of law.
As to the reasons for this latest delay, they concern the health of the lead judge, writes Lusa.
A notification sent to the six defendants from the Évora District Court has set out new dates, starting on October 3. Sessions have also been scheduled for October 4, 8, 09, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 29 and 30 October, as well as November 5, 6, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21.
Source material: LUSA
