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Jersey tragedies: How are the investigations progressing?

Jersey tragedies: How are the investigations progressing?

Thursday 23 February 2023

Jersey tragedies: How are the investigations progressing?

Thursday 23 February 2023


Police say they have worked through more than 1,000 lines of enquiry across their investigations into the two major incidents that struck the island at the end of last year: the explosion at Haut du Mont, and the collision between Condor’s Commodore Goodwill and fishing vessel L’Ecume II.

In an update today, Chief of Police Robin Smith praised the "hard work and professionalism" of staff within the States of Jersey Police as they respond to the "unprecedented demands associated with leading two significant investigations".

Mr Smith said that the investigation into cause of the Haut du Mont explosion - Operation Spire - has been "gathering pace over the last few weeks", whilst the investigation into the L'Ecume II collision investigation - Operation Nectar - has also made "significant progress".

Robin Smith Explosion

Pictured: Chief of Police, Robin Smith praised the "hard work and professionalism" of his staff.

The police have worked through more than 1,000 lines of enquiry across both investigations.

The Chief of Police confirmed that "both Senior Investigating Officers now have a much clearer understanding of what has happened, but they don't yet have a complete picture", adding that both investigations will be ongoing for many more months.

Operation Spire: the explosion at Haut du Mont

Operation Spire is a joint investigation between States of Jersey Police and the Health and Safety Inspectorate, which is looking to establish the cause of the explosion at Haut du Mont.

hautdumont.jpg

Pictured: Police search officers at the Haut du Mont explosion scene will begin to scale back next week, following the progress that has been made.

States of Jersey Police are leading the investigation which will also determine whether there is a criminal case against any individual or corporate entity for gross negligence or manslaughter, or offences under the Health and Safety Legislation.

Police search officers expect to have recovered all evidence from the scene by the end of March, and the scene will be held by States of Jersey police until this time.

Around 27 full-time police officers continue work on the investigation, alongside additional specialists such as fire and explosion experts, gas experts, archaeologists, and structural engineers. 

Video: Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey giving an update on Operation Spire.

To date, the investigation team has carried out more than 800 lines of enquiry, taken more than 300 statements, and collected more than 600 exhibits.

Operation Nectar: the L'Ecume II collision

Operation Nectar is the independent police investigation into the collision between the L'Ecume II trawler and a Condor freight ship that claimed the lives of three fishermen.

Around 12 full time officers and staff continue to work on the investigation, alongside four experienced Police Investigators from the Metropolitan, West Midlands, Yorkshire, and Staffordshire Police forces who have joined the team.

They are being led by Senior Investigating Officer Andrew Shearwood, a former Detective Chief Inspector with Thames Valley Police.

fishermen - Baligat simyunn Michieli

Pictured: Jervis Baligat, Mick Michieli and Larry Simyunn were all aboard the L'Ecume II when it sank.

380 lines of enquiry have been recorded since the start of the investigation, with half of these now complete.

The team has registered around 400 documents, more than 270 pieces of media (for example, CCTV footage and photographs) and more than 150 items of property which have all been documented.

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Pictured: The L'Ecume II trawler. (Rob Currie)

It was also announced this week that the wreck of the L'Ecume II trawler is to be raised from the seabed for "evidential gain and for humanitarian reasons".

In a media briefing on Tuesday, senior civil servant Richard Corrigan said that raising the vessel would allow for a land-based inspection and also help to "conclusively" determine whether the body of skipper Michael Michieli was trapped aboard.

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