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Corfu deaths stun tourist firms Corfu tourist firms defend safety
(about 2 hours 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 tried to allay safety fears after the deaths of two UK children from 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. Kostas Dendrinos of Corfu's Association of Hotel Managers said accommodation on the island should not be judged unsafe.
The children's father, Neil Shepherd, 38, has regained consciousness in hospital where he is recovering from carbon monoxide poisoning. "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."
Mrs Wood visited the mortuary for a second time
It should not have happened, but with one million visitors a year, it did not mean resorts in Corfu were not safe, he added.
British tour operators have sent an independent gas expert to the resort to check the safety of other similar appliances.
And campaigners in the UK are calling for tougher checks on accommodation used by package holidaymakers.
Greek travel agent Vassilis Kontos, of Corfu Holidays, said although this should be treated as an isolated incident, extra safety checks would take place on the island during the winter.
Sunday prayers
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant said the children's deaths have sent a wave of shock and panic through the Greek holiday industry, with hoteliers worried about the impact on tourism - upon which Corfu's economy is heavily dependent.
And a visit to Corfu by the Greek Tourism Organisation's chief was part of a damage limitation exercise, our correspondent added.
Neil Shepherd is fully conscious and communicating with staff
The children's father, Neil Shepherd, 38, who was found alongside his children in the hotel room, has become fully conscious for the first time, according to hospital staff.
His partner Ruth Beatson, 27, who was also poisoned, has been taken out of intensive care.His partner Ruth Beatson, 27, who was also poisoned, has been taken out of intensive care.
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant said Ms Beatson has been told by her mother about the deaths of the children but Mr Shepherd has yet to be informed. She has been told by her mother about the deaths of the children but it is unclear whether Mr Shepherd has been informed.
Hospital manager Ioannis Manzaropolous said the couple are unlikely to suffer long-term damage to their health.Hospital manager Ioannis Manzaropolous said the couple are unlikely to suffer long-term damage to their health.
The property met all of the Federation of Tour Operators' requirements Thomas Cook Campaigners urge gas safety Q&A: Gas safety and travel
Prayers have been said for Christianne and Robert at services in Corfu and their home in West Yorkshire.Prayers have been said for Christianne and Robert at services in Corfu and their home in West Yorkshire.
'Tragic incident'
Our correspondent 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.
He 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.
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 services
Services took place at Wakefield Cathedral, West Yorkshire, and the Anglican Holy Trinity Church in Corfu.Services took place at Wakefield Cathedral, West Yorkshire, and the Anglican Holy Trinity Church in Corfu.
Sharon Wood visited the hotel where her children died Father Clifford Owen told worshippers in Corfu the thoughts of the island's residents were with the classmates of the two dead children, who face the grief of returning to school after the half term holiday without their friends.
Christianne and Robert's mother, Sharon Wood, 35, had lived with the children in Horbury.Christianne and Robert's mother, Sharon Wood, 35, had lived with the children in Horbury.
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 has visited the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel, in Gouvia village, where her children died and was said to be inconsolable.
Mrs Wood has made a second visit to the mortuary, where she spent about 40 minutes inside the building. She made a second visit to the mortuary on Sunday with her husband Paul, where she spent about 40 minutes inside the building.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The family had been taking a week's holiday for the school half-term break.