Local News
Owner of Maltese-registered 'Erika' to go on trial
By Ruth Davies
Feb 5, 2006, 10:57

Total SA, a French oil company will go on trial for its suspected role in a 1999 oil spill from the ‘Erika’ tanker in December 1999. Although an official date has not been set, judicial officials confirmed a trial would take place. The Maltese-registered tanker, owned by a unit of the French company, split in two and sunk near the coast of western France, leading to the blackening of the coast in the surrounding area. At least 10,000 tons of oil leaked into the sea; killing thousands of birds.

Two Total units, Total Transport Corp. and Total Gas and Power Services Ltd., formerly known as Total Petroleum Services, will also be tried.

According to ABC 7 News reported that officials said the oil company faces charges of pollution and complicity in endangering people and property. Investigating Judge Dominique de Talance said the company disregarded its own safety standards by chartering a 25-year-old ship. In the document ordering the company to stand trial, the magistrate also declared that the company was aware that a large oil spill could occur, after one day before crew had reported "leaks due to cracks in the deck raised fears of pollution."

In turn, a spokesman for Total SA stated that the allegations were unfounded. The spokesman also said that company had paid 200 million euros (Lm85 million, $241 million) towards the cleaning of France’s beaches, along with pumping oil out of the ship and treating the waste.

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