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| Africa: North |
| TUI to defend itself in civil lawsuit Wednesday over Tunisia attacks |
| 2004-08-30 |
| A five-year-old boy and his family will on Wednesday take TUI AG, Europe's largest tourism company, to court in a civil case that, in TUI's own words, has potentially serious consequences for the package tour industry. The boy's family is suing TUI for damages after he was seriously injured in a terrorist attack on the Tunisian holiday island of Djerba in April, 2002. The family was in Djerba on a tour organised by TUI subsidiary 1-2-Fly. Some 21 people, including 14 Germans, were killed when Islamic terrorists exploded a tank truck in front of a famous synagog on the island. The family argues TUI failed to warn its guests of the risks on Djerba following violent anti-tourist demonstrations on the island prior to the blast. It is seeking 100,000 eur in compensation plus an additional 800 eur a month to care for the boy, who was seriously burnt in the attack. TUI argues there were no warnings that a terrorist attack was imminent, and it cannot be held responsible for unpredictable events. If tour operators are held financially responsible for such events in the courts, this could mean "no less than the end of organised travel", said TUI manager Volker Boettcher. He acknowledged that the lawsuit has put the company in a very uncomfortable position. Any payment by TUI to the family would be seen as an admission of culpability, which could have a devastating effect on a company that takes millions of people on holiday every year, he said. On the other hand, TUI is aware it is facing a five-year-old victim in court and that "emotionally, we can only lose in this dispute," Boettcher said. The case will be heard in the Hanover District Court. |
| Posted by:TS(vice girl) |