Trial Begins for Cholet Fireworks Tragedy That Claimed Two Lives
Five defendants, including the mayor of Cholet and the lead pyrotechnician, face charges of involuntary manslaughter and injuries over the fatal 2022 Bastille Day fireworks accident.
- The trial, held in Angers, addresses the deaths of a 7-year-old boy and his 24-year-old sister during a fireworks display in Cholet on July 14, 2022.
- Defendants include Cholet's mayor Gilles Bourdouleix, the lead artificer, his employer HTP, the association Cholet Événements, and its vice-president.
- Prosecutors allege safety lapses, including failure to enforce a restricted zone and use of faulty equipment, contributed to the tragedy.
- The victims' family and 12 others suffered injuries when projectiles fell into a crowd in an area that should have been off-limits to the public.
- The trial is expected to last five days, with victims' families seeking clarity on the responsibilities behind the deadly incident.
Libération 
Ouest-France 