The Charleroi correctional court has imposed a €160,000 fine, half of it suspended for three years, on railway company SNCB in connection with two train accidents near La Louvière, Wallonia, on 27 November 2017. The court acquitted railway network operator Infrabel.
The SNCB (Société nationale des chemins de fer belges) and Infrabel were on trial for unintentional blows and injuries as well as occupational welfare violations following the accidents, which took place in Morlanwelz and Strépy-Bracquegnies.
The first accident occurred when a unit that was accidentally uncoupled from a train hurtled down a slope and drove into Infrabel workers who were repairing damage to the tracks in Morlanwelz. Two of the four workers were killed. A few minutes later, the unit crashed into a train in Strépy-Bracquegnies, injuring a number of passengers.
The prosecution had requested a fine of €35,000 for the SNCB and a €30,000-one for Infrabel.
The verdict had been initially scheduled for 17 October.
