Mexico City: criminal charges brought in subway collapse

Mexico City prosecutors announced they will bring criminal charges against “several people and companies” for construction and design defects that caused a subway line collapse in May that killed 26 people

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico City prosecutors announced Thursday they will bring criminal charges shortly against “several people and companies” for construction and design defects that caused an elevated subway line to collapse in May, killing 26 people.

Ernestina Godoy, the city attorney general, said studies found that constuction defects like poor welds and missing connection studs caused the collapse. She said bad design also played a role.

Godoy did not identfy those who will face charges of homicide, causing injury and damages.

But in the case of the companies involved, Godoy said the goal of the criminal charges will aimed at making them pay for or repair damages both to the subway and the victims. Criminal charges against individuals could apparently result in prison sentences for them.