Morocco train crash: Prosecutors charge driver with manslaughter

Police officers inspect the area after a train derailed in the town of Sidi Bouknadel between Rabat and the northwestern city of Kenitra in Morocco on 16 October, 2018 [Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency]

Moroccan prosecutors yesterday pressed for a charge of manslaughter against a train driver who was at the helm of a locomotive when it derailed killing seven passengers earlier this month.

Prosecutors said in a statement that the train was travelling more than twice the speed limit, accelerating to 158 kilometres per hour on tracks were trains should travel at no more than 60 kilometres per hours, before the crash.

READ: 6 dead after train derails in Morocco

The train derailed in the Sidi Bouknadel area, between Rabat and Kenitra.

Some 125 passengers were injured as a result of the derailment.

Concern over Morocco’s national railway operator ONCF’s safety policy has risen, especially as ONCF plans to launch Morocco’s high speed train (LGV) between Casablanca and Tangier. LGV is expected to start operating by the end of 2018.

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