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Revealed: Prosecutor's Office to Charge Two Coelcha Workers for Deadly Fires in Santa Juana

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This Tuesday afternoon, charges were revealed against two workers of the electrical company Coelcha as alleged perpetrators of the massive forest fire, which triggered other blazes, affecting Santa Juana and Nacimiento last year in theBío Bío region.

Earlier, during her public address, regional prosecutor Marcela Cartagena announced that this week, the alleged individuals involved in this forest tragedy will be formally charged.

According to reports from Radio Bío Bío, those charged will be a contractor and a supervisor from Coelcha, who will face accusations under the Forest Law.

The electrical company's involvement in these incidents had already been hinted at last September, when the Public Ministry stated it had scientific evidence confirming that the largest fire of the past season was due to a lack of maintenance in the safety buffer zone.

This allegedly allowed trees to come into contact with power lines, sparking the massive recorded forest fire.

Hence, the decision to now formalize the investigation and press charges under the Forest Law, which will be requested no later than Friday.

The Bío Bío regional prosecutor outlined the charges to be filed against the two allegedly involved individuals.

Revealed: Contractor and Supervisor from Coelcha to Be Charged for Santa Juana Fires

Although the prosecutor did not provide further details, La Radio learned that the accused will include a Coelcha contractor responsible for maintaining the safety buffer zone, as well as a supervisor from the electrical cooperative.

Regarding this step, Santa Juana Mayor Ana Albornoz praised the Prosecutor's Office for its swift progress in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Government Secretary Jacqueline Cárdenas emphasized the need to now punish those responsible for this disaster, which left at least 17 dead, hundreds affected, and thousands of hectares destroyed.

The offenses punishable under the Forest Law carry penalties ranging from 61 days to 5 years in prison, depending on whether the alleged actions involve misuse of fire, quasi-offenses of arson, or improper land clearing.

Source:www.biobiochile.cl