Thomas Cook denies reports that an official has been charged with manslaughter over Corfu gas tragedy

Wednesday, 06 Nov, 2006 0

Thomas Cook has issued a statement refuting reports today that Police in Corfu have charged a Thomas Cook official manslaughter over the death of two children poisoned by carbon monoxide gas.

Reports on the BBC and other news services said court officials had confirmed that the Thomas Cook official who inspected the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel, along with the hotel’s general manager, director, maintenance manager, air conditioning installation manager and a maintenance employee, have been charged with manslaughter and causing bodily harm through negligence.

But Thomas Cook’s statment said: “Contrary to today’s reports, Thomas Cook can categorically confirm that no charges have been issued against the company or any of its officers by Greek police or any other Greek authorities.

“We can also confirm that at no time during this enquiry have the police or any other authority been in touch with us.”

A British coroner has now opened inquests into the deaths of the children, Christianne and Robert Shepherd, who were aged six and seven.

The family, from Horbury, West Yorkshire, were staying in a four-star apartment at the hotel.

The carbon monoxide gas leak was believed to be from a suspected faulty boiler.

Greek tourism officials temporarily revoked the hotel’s license earlier this week.

By Bev Fearis

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Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.

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