Are Criminal Charges Likely for Resort Owner?

Now that the results are out, is the Belize Police Department thinking about pressing charges against the island resort’s owner? Also, how long will the Royal Kahal Beach Resort stay closed since we’ve learned what caused the tragic deaths of its three guests?

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Certainly, from an investigative standpoint, carbon monoxide now being determined as the cause of death, it would not be, I don’t think it would fall within the criminal domain.  Nonetheless, we will still be forwarding the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions and then she is going to have the final determination on whether or not she believes that the hotel can be held criminally liable.  In the absence of that then it would be  a civil matter. I am sure that BTB and the Ministry of Health is going to look at this very closely now in light of the results that we have received and you would know that under the hoteliers act, hoteliers have an obligation to ensure their hotel is kept in a safe and secure manner, for those persons who were supposed to stay there.  As a matter of fact, there’s an annual inspection that has to be done by the health inspector and that report is sent to the Ministry of Health, as well as to BTB, and if they do not pass that inspection then that can lead to their license being suspended or revoked.  So, in light of this, there certainly does exist some health hazard.  BTB and the Ministry of Health will definitely do what needs to be done in ensuring that the hotel is not reopened until they are satisfied that the hazard that existed no longer exists no longer exists.”