1.
MLS EXT.. PALAIS DE JUSTICE
0.04

2.
MS M. DARGEOU WITH DEFENCE COUNCIL
0.08

3.
CU M. DARGEOU
0.12

4.
MS CAMERAMEN
0.15

5.
MLS COURT STANDING TO HEAR VERDICT
0.18

6.
MLS M. DARGEOU CONGRATULATED ON ACQUITTAL
0.29

7.
MLS CAMERAMEN OUTSIDE COURT
0.32

8.
MS M. DARGEOU LEAVING COURT WITH COUNCIL
0.47

9.
CS CAMERAMAN
0.48

10.
CS M. DARGEOU
0.59

11.
CS SIGN FREJUS
1.01

12.
LS MEMORIAL
1.05

13.
CS DITTO
1.07

14.
CS SIGN VILLE DE FREJUS
1.09

15.
CS SIGN DECEMBER 1959
1.14

16.
MLS MEMORIAL
1.17

17.
CS SIGN BARRAGE DE MALPASSET
1.19

18.
LS DAM (3 SHOTS)
1.30



Initials AK/S/BHH/EEH


EDITORS: SEE ALSO 8082/64 HEAVY RAIN HAMPERS RELIEF WORK AT FREJUS - 10 DEC '59

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: JACQUES DARGEOU, THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE OF THE WORK OF THE FREJUS DAM WHICH COLLAPSED IN DECEMBER 1959 KILLING 400 PEOPLE, WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ACQUITTED OF CHARGES OF MANSLAUGHTER.

AFTER TWO OFFICIAL COMMISSIONS SET UP TO INVESTIGATE THE DISASTER HAD REPORTED, M. DARGEOU WAS CHARGED IN 1961 WITH MANSLAUGHTER AND INFLICTING INJURIES. TODAY, THREE YEARS LATER, THE COURT RULED THAT M. DARGEOU COULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERIOD OF STUDY AND WORK ON THE DAM, AND ITS SUBSEQUENT OPERATION. HE HAD CAREFULLY CARRIED OUT HIS FUNCTIONS, AND THEREFORE HE WAS NOT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY. THE JUDGMENT FOLLOWED A TEN DAY TRIAL WHICH ENDED ON OCTOBER 30.

PEOPLE WHO SUFFERED IN THE DISASTER HAVE RECEIVED CONSIDERABLE COMPENSATION. FURTHER APPEALS FOR DAMAGES CAN BE MADE BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS.