Belgian prosecutor opens criminal inquiry into deadly floods
Judge will examine case for involuntary manslaughter
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Killer floods that destroyed several towns and left more than 40 dead in Belgium are to be investigated to determine whether anyone should be held responsible for the fatalities, the prosecutor's office has announced.
Cars were swept away and buildings damaged earlier this month as parts of Belgium were hit by the worst flooding experienced in the country for years.
Amid a backlash from local residents impacted by the disaster, the prosecutor's office in the city of Liege said on Wednesday that an investigative judge has been appointed to carry out an inquiry.
The judge is to examine whether there is a basis to charge anyone with involuntary manslaughter by failure of care or precaution.
It came after a Belgian political party earlier this week requested the appointment of a parliamentary commission to investigate the disaster.
The Humanist Democratic Centre (CDH) said it does not want to launch a “witch hunt” but hopes to shed the light on the disaster.
Groups of Belgian citizens are considering taking legal action against the state for its alleged failure to protect them.
“The urgency remains to help the victims, and all the efforts must be directed currently on the management of the crisis,” the CDH party said.
Residents of towns near Liege that were inundated after the Vesdre river spilt over its banks almost two weeks ago also have called for an independent investigation.
Residents suspect that officials' mishandling of flooding systems could have exacerbated the flooding.
Lowering the water level at the major Vesdre dam after forecasters issued weather warnings would have prevented a lot of flood damage in nearby towns, several specialists in hydrology have since suggested.
Severe flooding also hit parts of Germany, where more than 150 people were killed.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments