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Bereaved family's concerns prompt explosion probe

Angela Ferguson
BBC News
PA Media Firefighters are on the scene of the explosion, with rubble seen behind them. A States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service vehicle can be seen.PA Media
Ten people died following the explosion at a block of flats in St Helier

An independent inquiry is to be launched into the handling of the Haut de Mont explosion in Jersey after "serious concerns" were raised by bereaved relatives.

Ten residents died after the explosion at the Haut du Mont residential block, St Helier, in the early hours of 10 December 2022.

Bereaved relatives lodged a formal complaint with the Government of Jersey over the handling of the investigation into the explosion, citing serious concerns about the emergency response and medical treatment.

The government's complaints board has now committed to an external inquiry, with the chief minister's office apologising for the delay in appointing an expert to oversee it.

Family handout Two photos show an older and younger couple and three individual photos show men who are all smiling.Family handout
Victims of the explosion included (top row, left to right) Derek and Sylvia Ellis, Romeu and Louise de Almeida and (bottom row, left to right) Raymond Brown, Billy Marsden and Peter Bowler

In March, three former gas company employees appeared in court each charged with 10 counts of gross negligence manslaughter.

They were remanded on bail to appear for indictment at the Royal Court on 28 May.

The ten people who died following the explosion were Ken Ralph, 72, Jane Ralph, 71, Peter Bowler, 72, Raymond Brown, 71, Romeu de Almeida, 67, Louise de Almeida, 64, Derek Ellis, 61, Sylvia Ellis, 73, and Billy Marsden, 63, and Kathleen McGinness, 73.

Ms McGinness, who lived in a building adjacent to the Haut du Mont flats, was taken to hospital but died on Christmas Day 2022.

The complaint about the handling of the investigation was made in November 2023 by bereaved relatives, and in December 2023, they were told an inquiry into the matter would be given consideration.

However, thy ed the government the following year to say they had not had an update on this.

Family handout Kathleen McGinness is smiling at the camera. She has blonde bobbed hair.Family handout
Kathleen McGinness was among 10 people who died following the incident

A report from the board stated: "While initially deemed outside the complaints board's jurisdiction, the chief minister's office has since committed to an independent, external investigation.

"Bereaved families will be ed in shaping the of reference for this inquiry, with the chief minister's office apologising for delays in appointing an expert to oversee it."

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