Gwladys Laffitte, edited by Thibault Nadal
On the second day of the trial of the Brétigny sur Orge rail disaster, the floor was given to the two representatives of the SNCF who are on trial until June 17. In an introductory remark, they wanted to address the victims, almost ten years after the tragedy which claimed the lives of seven people.
On the second day of the trial of the Brétigny sur Orge disaster, the two defendants took turns turning to the benches of the civil parties to address them words of compassion, “sincere”, promises the representative of the SNCF Network entity. “We can’t forget that that day the unthinkable happened,” he said solemnly. He assures him: the disaster was a “shock” in the company, “a huge trauma inflicted on all the victims and on the nation, which will remain in our memories”, abounds his colleague.
Experts from both sides will face off next week
“Thoughts”, therefore, but no excuses, since the SNCF considers that it is not criminally responsible. Moreover, one of the defendants warns the victims: “Throughout the trial, I will dispute the faults which are alleged against SNCF Réseau”. In the room, civil parties shake their heads no, with a handkerchief in hand.
For the company, it was the quality of the steel that was lacking and caused the accident. For experts mandated by justice, it is the maintenance that has not been done correctly over time. Two theses defended by different experts, they will compete at the bar next week.