The company that operated the open-top bus involved in a fatal accident in Żurrieq last April has blamed Transport Malta for what happened, holding it responsible for damages.
A 62-year-old Belgian man and a 37-year-old Spanish woman died, and 50 passengers were injured when the open, double-decker bus hit the branches of an overhanging tree.
In a judicial protest filed in the Civil Court, First Hall, City Sightseeing Malta Ltd accused Transport Malta failing its obligations under Maltese and EU laws to keep public roads safe.
Lawyer for City Sightseeing Malta Alessia Zammit McKeon listed a number of laws, EU directives and guidelines issued by Transport Malta and international road safety organisations which, it argues, were not observed by the transport regulator despite its obligations.
It particularly accused Transport Malta, which issued the licence to City Sightseeing to operate a service in the south of Malta according to a route designed by the regulator itself, of failing to abide by the law stipulating that it must conduct regular inspections on the routes licensed and ensure they were safe and free from any obstacles, including trees.
READ: What caused the tourist bus…
