The West Flanders Court of First Instance, Ypres department, pronounced a simple guilty verdict against the municipality of Heuvelland for accidental killing and for violations of the Code of Economic Law regarding the operation of playgrounds.
The case revolves around the tragic accident in which a metal football goal on a playground in Kemmel fell over and landed on a 10-year-old boy, who was killed.
According to the court, the municipality, as operator of the site, should have exercised more care in controlling and securing the material. The municipality received a simple guilty verdict, which means that no punishment is imposed, but the guilt is legally determined.
The victim’s relatives will receive compensation totaling 143,066.09 euros.