The Heidelberg public prosecutor's office has filed charges following the death of a 21-year-old archaeology student who was killed during excavation work in Leimen, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, in November 2023. Six individuals, including an architect and a construction manager, are accused of negligent homicide.
"The accused are suspected of having been able to foresee and prevent the fatal burial of the victim," the public prosecutor's office stated, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung. The charges come after an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
During construction work for a new underground garage, pits had been excavated. Subsequently, archaeological excavation work was carried out in these pits. At least two weeks before the accident, a historic stone vault cellar approximately three meters deep had been uncovered. However, "overhanging remnants of vault masonry on the north and south sides of the cellar were left intact," according to the public prosecutor's office.
"As a result, there was always the danger that the remaining vault remnants could collapse and bury people," the public prosecutor's office wrote. They also stated, "The cellar should not have been entered by persons at any time without the necessary safety measures."
On the afternoon of November 27, despite the known dangers, the young man was working at the bottom of the historic stone vault cellar when a vault remnant about four meters above him broke loose and buried him.
Immediately after the accident, the buried student was recovered with an excavator. Rescue workers' attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. According to reports, the student later died in the hospital.
Initially, it was unclear whether the excavation site had been inadequately secured. The incident prompted authorities to examine whether appropriate safety measures had been implemented and if the responsible parties had taken necessary precautions to prevent such an accident.
The six individuals charged with negligent homicide are believed to have held responsibilities related to the management and safety of the excavation project. The public prosecutor's office alleges that they failed to implement required safety protocols and allowed work to proceed despite the evident dangers posed by the unstable vault remnants.
The death of the young student has raised serious concerns about safety practices at construction and archaeological sites. Working with historic structures can present unique hazards, and the necessity for strict adherence to safety protocols is emphasized to prevent such tragedies.
As legal proceedings move forward, the focus remains on determining the extent of negligence and accountability of those charged. The case underscores the importance of rigorous safety assessments and measures, particularly when dealing with historic structures that may pose unforeseen risks.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.