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Six on Corfu child death charges Six on Corfu child death charges
(10 minutes later)
A Thomas Cook official and five hotel staff have been charged with manslaughter over the deaths of two children in Corfu.A Thomas Cook official and five hotel staff have been charged with manslaughter over the deaths of two children in Corfu.
Christianne Shepherd and her brother Robert were on holiday with their father and his partner when they were poisoned by carbon monoxide gas.Christianne Shepherd and her brother Robert were on holiday with their father and his partner when they were poisoned by carbon monoxide gas.
A hotel boss, a tour operator official and other staff are also charged with causing bodily harm through negligence.A hotel boss, a tour operator official and other staff are also charged with causing bodily harm through negligence.
The six face maximum sentences of five years in jail if convicted.The six face maximum sentences of five years in jail if convicted.
Court officials said the hotel director, general manager and maintenance manager, as well as the air conditioning installation manager and a maintenance employee have been charged.Court officials said the hotel director, general manager and maintenance manager, as well as the air conditioning installation manager and a maintenance employee have been charged.
The same charges were brought against an official from British tour operator Thomas Cook, who inspected the hotel.The same charges were brought against an official from British tour operator Thomas Cook, who inspected the hotel.
At no time has the Greek police been in touch with Thomas Cook despite making it clear that we want to cooperate fully in any investigation Thomas Cook
BBC correspondent Malcolm Brabant said Greek police had not released the names of those charged due to legal restrictions.BBC correspondent Malcolm Brabant said Greek police had not released the names of those charged due to legal restrictions.
Inquest opened The family, from Horbury, West Yorkshire, were staying in a four-star bungalow at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel when the carbon monoxide gas seeped into the property.
A British coroner earlier opened two inquests into the deaths of the children, who were six and seven.
The family, from Horbury, West Yorkshire, were staying in a four-star bungalow at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel when the carbon monoxide gas, believed to be from a suspected faulty boiler, seeped into the property.
The children's father Neil Shepherd, 38, and his girlfriend, Ruth Beatson, 27, survived the poisoning last Thursday and are being treated at Pinderfields General Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.The children's father Neil Shepherd, 38, and his girlfriend, Ruth Beatson, 27, survived the poisoning last Thursday and are being treated at Pinderfields General Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
The Greek tourism ministry has already withdrawn the hotel's licence and indicated this move would be permanent if the deaths were established to be the responsibility of the management.
Communication problems
In a statement, Thomas Cook said it had been left in the dark over the nature of police action taken over the deaths.
"We are not aware that a conclusion has been reached in the ongoing investigation in Corfu. Neither have we been made aware of any preliminary charges being brought against any British tour operators or Thomas Cook.
"At no time has the Greek police or any other authority been in touch with Thomas Cook despite making it clear that we want to cooperate fully in any investigation."
The company said it was undertaking an internal investigation and that the hotel had been audited according to UK guidelines.
A British coroner earlier opened two inquests into the deaths of the children, who were six and seven.
West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff earlier promised to "fully, fairly and fearlessly" investigate the deaths of the children.West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff earlier promised to "fully, fairly and fearlessly" investigate the deaths of the children.
He issued interim death certificates and burial orders before adjourning the proceedings to a later date.
The Greek tourism ministry has alreadt withdrawn the hotel's licence and indicated this move would be permanent if the deaths were established to be the responsibility of the management.