(Mexico) Carlos Slim, Mexico’s richest man, reached an agreement with Mexican city officials Wednesday to kill 26 people over the reconstruction of a subway that collapsed last May.
The president, who is behind telecommunications and construction companies, has announced that its subsidiary, Grubo Carso, will pass a bill to strengthen weak sections and rebuild collapsed sections in order to protect infrastructure against frequent earthquakes.
In a statement to the stock exchanges, Grubo Carso made it clear that the initiative was not responsible for the catastrophe. He also argued that the project would not have a material impact on the company’s business.
On Monday, Mexican city justice officials announced that criminal charges would be laid against ten “individuals and companies” believed to be responsible for the design and construction defects that caused the collapse.
In its statement, Grubo says Carso has made his own decisions about the cause of the collapse, but does not want to publicize the matter.
In the past, some companies involved in building the metro more than a decade ago have claimed that subsequent alignments have the effect of adding more weight to the suspended segment.
Prosecutors in charge of the prosecution said the accused companies were intent on providing infrastructure and compensation to the families of the victims.
Grubo Carso says he wants to do both.
Charges in court include manslaughter or criminal negligence, damage and bodily harm.
According to local media, former city officials are among the accused. No arrest warrant has been issued. Defendants were told to appear in court on October 25.
According to experts consulted by the lawyer, the collapse was caused by construction defects such as bad welds or missing parts. Poor design would also have played a role in the disaster.
