Yemenia Airways appeal trial judged for homicide and involuntary injuries in the 2009 air disaster off the Comoros. A tragedy which took the lives of 141 passengers, including 65 French and eleven crew members. At first instance, the Paris criminal court sentenced the Yemeni company to a maximum fine of 225,000 euros for “homicide and involuntary injuries”.
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The tragedy, which occurred on the night of June 29 to 30, 2009, left 152 dead, women, men, children, and only one survivor, Bahia Bakari, a miracle victim, aged 12 at the time. era. She then survived the disaster by remaining clinging to a piece of debris from the cabin for around ten hours, alone in the Indian Ocean before being rescued.
At first instance, the company Yemenia Airways, found guilty of “homicide and involuntary injuries”, was sentenced to a maximum fine of 225,000 euros. The criminal court found the Yemeni company guilty of maintaining night flights to the Comoros during the summer period despite the malfunction of certain lights at Moroni airport. Also guilty of the assignment on this flight of a co-pilot whose training was described as fragile.
A new painful ordeal
One of the company’s managers should this time be present to present his version of the facts. During the trial at first instance, which took place from May 9 to June 2, 2022, the defendants’ dock remained empty: no company official was present, because of the war ravaging Yemen, at the time explained one of his lawyers, Me Léon-Lef Forster.
This new appeal trial, which will last until March 28, will be a new painful ordeal for the families of victims who thought they could finally mourn after waiting for thirteen years for the first criminal trial. Here they are again in court.
Read also2009 crash near the Comoros: Yemenia Airways sentenced to maximum fine