Two years on from the Haut du Mont explosion: Plans for a memorial for Jersey victims

Andium Homes is working on plans for the future of the site on Pier Road. Credit: ITV Channel

Plans for a memorial to remember the people who lost their lives following the Haut du Mont explosion in Jersey are progressing.

Ten islanders died at the Haut du Mont flats in St Helier two years ago on Saturday 10 December 2022.

Tributes were laid at the temporary memorial near the scene this morning (Tuesday 10 December 2024), but new proposals are expected to be published early next year.

Proposals shaped by the victims' relatives are expected to include a seated area of reflection on the Pier Road site.

Andium Homes is also looking to refurbish the residential blocks that survived the impact and will be giving displaced residents the option to return if they wish.

In September last year, three housing blocks were demolished following a recommendation from the Recovery Coordination Group and Andium Homes.

Meanwhile, Jersey's Attorney General is continuing to consider charges following the investigation by States of Jersey Police and the Health and Safety Inspectorate into the cause of the blast.

Three suspects were originally arrested in August of last year.

Representatives from the States-owned Andium Homes and relatives gathered to remember victims of the Haut du Mont explosion. Credit: ITV Channel

The investigation is one of the biggest in Jersey Police's history and has involved 2,078 lines of enquiry, 8,412 documents, 1,173 statements and 2,001 exhibits.

Relatives and displaced residents are next due to meet in January, where they will once again be consulted on plans for the site's future.

The memorial service took place at a temporary site of reflection with benches that commemorate the victims of the explosion. Credit: ITV Channel

The 10 people who died were 72-year-old Peter Bowler, Raymie Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years), 63-year-old Billy Marsden and 73-year-old Kathleen 'Kathy' McGinness.

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