Rabat- The Court of First Instance in Sale has delivered its judgment regarding the tragic 2018 Bouknadel train accident which claimed the lives of seven people. The National Office of Railways (ONCF) faces charges of civil liability and is set to pay MAD 2.8 million ( $268,915 ) for the compensatory damages.
According to converging reports, the court approved the claims of 45 victims, out of approximately 50 cases, and the compensation to be paid ranges between MAD 22,000 ( $2,112) and 222,000 ($21,321) depending on the nature of the injury.
Moroccan insurance company Wafa Assurance will be in charge of the compensatory payments.
The Bouknadel train accident dates back to 2018. A train heading to Kenitra from Casablanca derailed north of Sale near Bouknadel, killing seven people and injuring 125 others.
According to a recording of a phone conversation discussion between ONCF staff, the train was traveling at 120 kilometers per hour, double the pace it was supposed to.
The train was supposed to run at 60 kilometers per hour in the area where the train derailed.
One of the employees stated that the technical issues on the track were noticed before the incident took place; however, ONCF did not clearly communicate the speed limit to drivers or take the limits into consideration.
In March 2019, the Court of First Instance in Sale sentenced train driver Laarbi Rich to serve five months and five days, and a MAD 500 ($48.02) fine.
Prosecutors charged Laarbi Rich with murder, accidental injuries, and driving the train over the speed limit.
Rich’s defense blamed ONCF for not communicating with the driver and for not providing the train with automatic braking or a display screen.
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