Homicide inquiry
Posted Nov 19, 2010 06:45:53 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Mexican authorities have opened a homicide inquiry into last weekend’s explosion at a Mayan Riviera resort that killed seven people, including five Canadians – one of whom was a Guelph resident and an employee of Com Dev in Cambridge.
The CBC reports provincial prosecutors are being allowed to pursue criminal charges against hotel owners if the explosion was caused by faulty construction. Investigators have suggested a broken sewer line may have led to the blast.
Mexican officials say the families of all the victims have either already filed or plan to file complaints of homicide, injury or damages. Each of those filings are expected to be dealt with at a single inquiry which will also decide who was responsible for the blast.
The blast which occurred this past weekend happened at the Grand Riviera Princess resort in Playa del Carmen was originally thought to be caused by a buildup of swamp gases under the resort. That theory has since been met with much resistance.
Elgin Barron, a 14-year employee with Com Dev died in the blast. Barron was a purchaser with Com Dev and lived in Guelph. Another Com Dev employee Larry Smith was hurt in the explosion. Smith was struck by debris in the back and required surgery for his injuries.
570 News has learned that the funeral service for Mr. Barron will be held at St-Judes Church in Hawkesbury, Ontario on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
