A French prosecutor has requested suspended sentences for several defendants on trial for manslaughter in the deadly 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel fire.
The prosecutor in Boneville sought a three-year suspended sentence and a nearly $16,000 fine for Gerard Roncoli the head of tunnel security on the French side. He also requested a six-month suspended term for the truck driver, Gilbert Degrave involved.
The prosecutor is also seeking a two-year suspended term and a $39,000 fine for Remy Chardon, the former head of the French tunnel operator.
In addition, the court is being asked to throw out charges against truck manufacturer, Volvo.
The fire in the 11-kilometer Alpine tunnel that connects Italy and France killed 39 people. The blaze spread from a truck carrying flour and margarine to 24 other vehicles. Firefighters fought the blaze for three days. The badly damaged tunnel remained closed for three years.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters.