FRANCOIS DESCAMP KOHLANTA. Candidate of Koh Lanta, the cursed totem, the firefighter François Descamp is the subject of an indictment for manslaughter. Explanations.
In its usual press release presenting the candidates for the new season of Koh Lanta, TF1 presents François, a 38-year-old firefighter from Hérault, “sports crazy” but also a man used to “taking care of his family, , like in the barracks”. The channel’s press service describes him as “a pillar” whose presence in the adventure could greatly help his teammates.
An indictment for manslaughter
Prior to the broadcast of Koh Lanta, the cursed totem, the first 2022 season of the TF1 survival show, the Canard Enchaîné reveals, however, that François Descamp is under indictment for manslaughter. He is accused, like six other firefighters, “of having given the troop inappropriate, sometimes contradictory orders, and provided insufficient information and obsolete equipment” during an intervention on a forest fire which occurred on 10 August 2016 in Gabian in the Hérault. During this intervention, three firefighters were seriously injured and a firefighter, Corporal Jérémy Beier, died of his injuries on August 21, 2016. François and the six others indicted in this case are presumed innocent.
Production was unaware
Adventure Line Productions, which produces Koh Lanta for TF1, reacted to this information revealed by Le Canard enchaîné in the columns of here is. “We were not informed of this indictment. The information concerning him was not public and it is covered by the secrecy of the instruction” specifies one at ALP which affirms to have followed its usual processes of recruitment of candidates, namely a verification of judicial convictions. “François told us that he was not the subject of any conviction and sent us an extract from his criminal record.” The production company also insists on the presumption of innocence, the case not being judged at this stage. “His indictment does not call into question these elements since he is at this stage of the procedure legally presumed innocent.”
Denis Brogniart speaks
On the Buzz TV set of our colleagues from Figaro TV MagDenis Brogniart took the floor on this subject, specifying first of all “any [son] admiration for firefighters.” He then recalled that “in any case, it is important, there is a presumption of innocence and I ask that it be respected.” The host of Koh Lanta, the cursed totem has also specified that it does not speak on its behalf, “I can only relate what the lawyer says. First, he [François, ndlr] was not present at the time of the incident. Secondly, he has not trained any of these firefighters, whether it is those who are injured, and the one who unfortunately lost their lives.” The show’s presenter concluded his speech, testifying to his “big thoughts for the family of the deceased, and for those in difficult circumstances.”
“We should never have ended up there”
Injured during this fire on August 10, 2016, Lucas Canuel spoke on social networks and in interviews. In particular, he explains to Parisian not understand why François participates in Koh Lanta. “When we know that we are indicted for manslaughter, we keep a low profile. We don’t show off on TV. What image does it give of firefighters?”
Lucas Canuel also detailed the events in his interview with Le Parisien. “With three other firefighters, we found ourselves stuck in a big forest fire on the heights of Gabian. Our leaders positioned us badly. We should never have ended up there.” The young firefighter claims that his colleague, Jérémy Beier, fell to the ground. “By the time I came back to pick him up, he was on fire. I saw a man burning in front of me for two to three minutes. I was paralyzed by the heat. We were left like dogs under 1,200°C. C is inhuman.”