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Corfu deaths stun tourist firms Corfu deaths stun tourist firms
(about 1 hour later)
The Greek tourist industry has reacted with shock to the deaths of two British children who fell victim to carbon monoxide poisoning at a hotel in Corfu.The Greek tourist industry has reacted with shock to the deaths of two British children who fell victim to carbon monoxide poisoning at a hotel in Corfu.
Christianne Shepherd, seven, and her six-year-old brother Robert died on Thursday at their holiday bungalow.Christianne Shepherd, seven, and her six-year-old brother Robert died on Thursday at their holiday bungalow.
The hotel owner, manager and two maintenance staff face up to five years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.The hotel owner, manager and two maintenance staff face up to five years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.
The Greek Tourism Organisation's chief has visited Corfu and pledged the inquiry will be transparent.The Greek Tourism Organisation's chief has visited Corfu and pledged the inquiry will be transparent.
The children's father Neil Shepherd, 38, and his partner Ruth Beatson, 27, who were found unconscious in the bungalow, are still seriously ill in hospital. They are thought to still be unaware of the children's deaths. The children's father, Neil Shepherd, 38, has regained consciousness in hospital where he is recovering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
His partner Ruth Beatson, 27, who was also poisoned, will be taken out of intensive care.
Hospital manager Ioannis Manzaropolous said a decision to tell them about the death of the children will be made by the chief doctor responsible for their care, and that an English-speaking psychologist is on stand-by.
'Tragic incident'
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant said the children's deaths have sent a wave of shock and panic through the Greek holiday industry.The BBC's Malcolm Brabant said the children's deaths have sent a wave of shock and panic through the Greek holiday industry.
The economies of the country's islands are almost totally dependent on mass tourism, he added.The economies of the country's islands are almost totally dependent on mass tourism, he added.
Our correspondent said that with hotel staff at the Corcyra Beach Hotel facing imminent charges of causing manslaughter by negligence, other hoteliers were worried about the impact this would have on the tourism industry.Our correspondent said that with hotel staff at the Corcyra Beach Hotel facing imminent charges of causing manslaughter by negligence, other hoteliers were worried about the impact this would have on the tourism industry.
The arrival of the Greek tourism chief was part of a damage limitation exercise, our correspondent added.The arrival of the Greek tourism chief was part of a damage limitation exercise, our correspondent added.
Kostas Dendrinos, vice-president of Corfu's Association of Hotel Managers, said the island should not be judged as unsafe on the basis of one incident.
"First of all we would like to express our sincere condolences for the tragic incident, but we have to point out right here that this occurred in a hotel that had been operating since 1964," he said.
"It is run under serious management and according to all safety rules and regulations both from the European Union and tour operators."
Greek travel agent Vassilis Kontos, of Corfu Holidays, said extra safety checks would take place on the island during the winter.
"This incident was very particular and we really have to take it as a case study for the future."
Church serviceChurch service
Meanwhile, prayers are due to be said for the family during a service at Wakefield Cathedral, in West Yorkshire, at 1100 GMT.Meanwhile, prayers are due to be said for the family during a service at Wakefield Cathedral, in West Yorkshire, at 1100 GMT.
Sharon Wood visited the hotel where her children diedSharon Wood visited the hotel where her children died
Christianne and Robert's mother, Sharon Wood, 35, had lived with her children in Horbury, which is near the city.Christianne and Robert's mother, Sharon Wood, 35, had lived with her children in Horbury, which is near the city.
Mrs Wood has flown to the island and identified their bodies. She visited the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel, in Gouvia village, where her children died and was said to be inconsolable. Mrs Wood has travelled to the island's mortuary and identified their bodies. She visited the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel, in Gouvia village, where her children died and was said to be inconsolable.
Mrs Wood is expected to make a second visit to the mortuary.
A pathologist said carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death and the investigation is focusing on the room's gas boiler and air-conditioning.A pathologist said carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death and the investigation is focusing on the room's gas boiler and air-conditioning.
Tour operator Thomas Cook said the latest audit of the hotel showed "the property met all of the Federation of Tour Operators' requirements".Tour operator Thomas Cook said the latest audit of the hotel showed "the property met all of the Federation of Tour Operators' requirements".
British tour operators have sent an independent expert to the resort to check similar appliances.
The children were found dead in their hotel room next to their father and his partner.The children were found dead in their hotel room next to their father and his partner.
Chief of police Dimitris Bineris said the hotel owner, hotel manager, maintenance manager and an engineer who installed an air conditioning unit would be charged with negligent manslaughter once toxicology tests on the children's blood have been completed.Chief of police Dimitris Bineris said the hotel owner, hotel manager, maintenance manager and an engineer who installed an air conditioning unit would be charged with negligent manslaughter once toxicology tests on the children's blood have been completed.
Couple illCouple ill
A British couple who stayed in the same hotel room four days before have also told how they became ill.A British couple who stayed in the same hotel room four days before have also told how they became ill.
They have said they woke up one morning feeling ill and needed hospital treatment.They have said they woke up one morning feeling ill and needed hospital treatment.
Kathy Pallant, who stayed in bungalow 112 with her husband Andrew, said: "My husband's a big man, and it took an awful lot of his strength for him to crawl round and get to the telephone for help."Kathy Pallant, who stayed in bungalow 112 with her husband Andrew, said: "My husband's a big man, and it took an awful lot of his strength for him to crawl round and get to the telephone for help."
The hotel extended its condolences but said would not comment on the cause of death because it could prejudice the police investigation.The hotel extended its condolences but said would not comment on the cause of death because it could prejudice the police investigation.
Thomas Cook said it had moved remaining guests from bungalows and given all guests at the hotel "the opportunity to move to alternative hotels if they wish".Thomas Cook said it had moved remaining guests from bungalows and given all guests at the hotel "the opportunity to move to alternative hotels if they wish".
On Thursday morning, a cleaner at the hotel discovered the two children dead in their room, and Ms Beatson and Mr Shepherd unconscious.On Thursday morning, a cleaner at the hotel discovered the two children dead in their room, and Ms Beatson and Mr Shepherd unconscious.
The family had been taking a week's holiday for the school half-term break.The family had been taking a week's holiday for the school half-term break.