Bereaved family's concerns prompt explosion probe

An independent review is to be launched into the handling of the Haut du 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, citing serious concerns over the emergency response and medical treatment following the explosion.

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

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 10 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, 62, 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 was made in November 2023 by bereaved relatives, and in December 2023, they were told an external review into the matter would be given consideration.

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

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 review.

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

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