Breaking news this evening is that the mayor of Funchal (Madeira) has been made an official suspect in the police investigation into the devastating collapse of a giant oak tree last summer at a packed religious festival.
Thirteen people were killed in the incident which left locals outraged (click here).
They claimed authorities had been aware about the rotting tree and the dangers it posed for years.
The horror devastated the island on August 15.
Among the dead were two children and two foreign holidaymakers.
Mayor Paulo Cafôfo was one of the name’s on everyone’s lips as the tragedy was discussed over social media (click here).
The Facebook group “Ocorrências na Madeira” was particularly scathing, while Cafôfo vehemently denied that his council had been aware of the tree’s state of degradation.
According to Expresso today, Cafôfo is one of three ‘arguidos’ to be cited: the others being a councillor in charge of the environment and a council worker.
The paper recalls “local sources” who claimed the 200-year-old tree had been tied to another for two years, its trunk hollow.
When these claims were made, Paulo Cafôfo insisted they were erroneous, telling journalists that the tree had a “green crown and was healthy”.
On Thursday, as the news received more scrutiny in the morning papers, reports suggest the mayor faces charges involving “the omission of care”.
Says tabloid Correio da Manhã: “The parish council asked days before (the tragedy, in which 53 people were injured as well as the 13 killed) for the council to intervene. The council’s reply was that it would do the work when it was opportune”.
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
Photo by: LUSA
