THE government’s responses to the Pier Road explosion and L’Ecume II fishing tragedy have cost over £14.5 million so far.
A further £2.7m has also been budgeted this year to continue to cover costs related to the two incidents, which both took place in quick succession at the end of 2022 and resulted in the loss of 13 lives.
The figures were revealed by Treasury Minister Elaine Millar in response to a written question submitted by Deputy Steve Ahier.
The cost to the government of the major incidents was £14.57m as of 31 August, the vast majority of this spending came in response to the Haut du Mont blast.
Deputy Millar said that the government spent £11.6m on the response to the explosion – dubbed “Operation Spire”.
The incident, on 10 December 2022, collapsed the site’s Andium-Homes-run flats and ten Islanders lost their lives.
Earlier this year, police chief Robin Smith said that the force was “nearing the conclusion” of its investigation, and that three suspects arrested last August on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter had been interviewed again.
A decision on charges in relation to the tragedy is expected by the end of the year.
Deputy Millar also revealed that the government response to the sinking of the L’Ecume II fishing trawler – called “Operation Nectar” – had cost £2.9m so far.
On 8 December 2022, the vessel sank following a collision with Condor’s Commodore Goodwill freight ship.
The incident resulted in the deaths of skipper Michael Michieli, and crewmen Jervis Ramirez Baligat and Larry Simyunn.
Two men have been charged with the unlawful killing of the fishermen. The States police confirmed that no further arrests were planned as part of Operation Nectar.
Deputy Millar explained that the government budget for future spending on the incidents would cover the ongoing storage and future disposal of the L’Ecume II wreck, as well as the ongoing police investigation costs for both operations.
The latest annual police report showed that the force’s total spending across both Operation Spire and Operation Nectar was more than £3m last year, which was around £4m under budget.
At the time, Police Authority chair Simon Harman explained that “a lot of additional resources have been needed” across both investigations.
He added: “Given the sensitivity and human effects, the first priority is to look after the victims and families and have a thorough investigation – the outcome is the most important thing and then the money comes in behind that.”
