Legal actions over tunnel tragedy in Quito

Two municipal officials were temporarily removed, and a preliminary investigation was initiated on a backhoe operator for the collapse of the tunnel at the north end of the old airport of the capital, which left two dead and one injured.

The Mayor of Quito, Augusto Barrera, said “no one caused this tragedy,” adding that the collapse of the tunnel is related to the work of the Public Works Company in place and not with the construction of Quito’s subway train or the Unidad Educativa Benalcazar, but a technical investigation is being carried out anyway.

The removed officials are the Road Maintenance director and the head of the Work Unit of the Bicentennial Park.

The injured and the families of the two victims will receive financial aid, but they did not rule out presenting legal actions.

Tunnel collapsed in Quito.