Deshaies' career must cease all activities immediately. The court has rendered its decision. Heavy suspicions weigh on his responsibility for the collapse of the Savane Paille grounds last December. An expert has been appointed. He will have to submit his report before September 15.
A month and a half after the major landslide in the Savane Paille area, the Basse-Terre summary court ordered this Wednesday, January 15, the immediate suspension of all activities at the Deshaies quarry, operated by the Société Antillaise of Aggregates.
The magistrates also appointed an expert, registered on the list of the Court of Cassation. The latter's mission will be, among other things, to determine whether the landslide resulted from the activity of the quarry and whether the alleged non-compliance with regulations and administrative prohibitions could have contributed to its occurrence.
The expert must also, within 2 months, submit an initial report to assess the possibilities of partial or total resumption of operations. The final report must be submitted before September 15.
On the other hand, the 4 victim families had their request for temporary rehousing support rejected, as well as their provisional request for damages. Failing this, they obtained a provision of 5,000 euros, in order to cover procedural costs.
Reached by telephone, Me Arié Alimi, their lawyer, believes that this is a first victory. On the other hand, the SADG lawyer, Me Patrice D'Herbomez, could not be contacted.
On December 3, 2024, a landslide of exceptional magnitude devastated the Savane Paille area, perched on the heights of Deshaies.
Nearly 200 meters long and 200 meters high, the earth flow swept away the roadway, several homes and a tourist lodge. In all, more than 150,000 m³ of earth rolled down the mountain, leaving behind a landscape of desolation.
Contacted this Thursday morning (January 16, 2025) by telephone, the SADG lawyer takes note of the deliberations of the summary court and assures that his client will comply with it. Me Patrice D'Herbomez adds that the SADG will continue the technical studies in order to allow the limited resumption of operations in complete safety, and more precisely on the southern flank of the quarry. Finally, the lawyer indicates that the technical unemployment of the 42 employees of the Antillean aggregates company is being studied and will be the subject of a communication to the economic and social committee of the company.
Interim order: