Devastating Accident at El Musel Port
On September 5, 2024, a tragic workplace accident at El Musel Port has left two families in deep sorrow following the untimely deaths of César Méndez Pernía, aged 23, and Roberto Martínez Laguno, aged 49. Both were employees of Montajes Astur Manzana and lost their lives instantly when a piece of equipment from a ship unloading crane they were operating fell, causing them to plummet approximately ten meters to the ground. This catastrophic failure involved the two cranes, El Roxu, which were meant to support the machinery in operation.
Rafael Méndez, father of the younger victim César, has transformed his grief into a mission of solidarity by founding the association 'Ningún niño sin infancia' (No Child Without Childhood). This initiative honors his son’s memory while providing support to vulnerable children. In April, Rafael embarked on a humanitarian journey across Morocco, distributing shoes, clothing, school supplies, and toys during a charitable rally that spanned seven stages and covered nearly 4,500 kilometers.
Ongoing Struggles for Justice
In an interview with a local newspaper, Rafael shared that the past twenty months have been a harrowing ordeal for the Méndez family, particularly for César's parents and sister, who continue to struggle with the emotional aftermath of the tragedy. As of now, there is still no set date for the trial, and the Civil Guard, responsible for the police report, has yet to finalize the criminal proceedings to forward the case to court. Rafael expressed their understanding that “we will never achieve moral justice, but we hope this judicial process concludes and accountability is enforced upon those responsible.” He also noted that César’s mother, who serves in the Civil Guard, has been unable to return to active duty due to the severe psychological impact of the incident.
Rafael criticized the lack of communication and support from the companies involved in the accident, particularly from Montajes Astur Manzana, emphasizing the apparent disregard for the welfare of their workers. The family’s mourning was compounded just last week by the death of César’s grandfather, Antonio, who succumbed to a prolonged illness, leaving behind unfulfilled wishes to witness justice for his grandson.
The family recently learned from their lawyers that the delays in scheduling the trial stem from the appointed expert responsible for compiling a necessary report. This report is crucial for completing the police investigation, which must transition from preliminary to criminal proceedings. Rafael pointed out that the expert's negligence caused a delay of five to six months beyond the initial timeline provided for the task. In response to these setbacks, the Civil Guard requested the court to replace the expert, an action that was agreed upon by all parties involved. A new expert was appointed in April, with the same timeline to complete the investigation as was given to the predecessor.
Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding this pre-trial impasse, Rafael remains grateful for the support and compassion shown by the community of Gijón, which has provided strength to the family as they continue to seek justice.
As reported by elcomercio.es.
