At 1:39 a.m. on the night between September 22 and 23, 2023, an area several hundred metres east of the E6 suddenly began to move.
Several cars and a bus were driven over or became stuck in the landslide area when the earth pushed the highway in front of them. Three people were slightly injured and about 400 metres of the E6 were destroyed.
Now the landowner and one of the contractors who carried out earthworks in the area are being charged with negligently causing the landslide.
Excavation waste the cause
According to the investigation, the major landslide was caused by approximately 19,000 cubic metres more excavated material than permitted being stored in the area.
"The negligence consisted of the defendants having more excavated material transported and placed than the ground could bear, causing the ground to give way and a landslide to be triggered," says Chief Prosecutor Daniel Veivo Pettersson in a press release.
The defendants are suspected of negligent public endangerment, causing bodily harm and endangering others, as well as unauthorised environmental activities.
Can get a million-dollar fine
According to the Swedish Accident Investigation Board, whose report on the landslide came out last year, the excavated material was stored up to ten metres above the intended ground level. The overload caused the mud in the area to collapse and drag the highway with it.
In its report, the Swedish Accident Investigation Board criticised both the municipality and the companies that worked in the area.
The prosecutor is demanding a fine of SEK 7.9 million each for two companies that operated at the site. He believes that one of the defendants should also be banned from doing business.
"The crime is considered serious because the defendants disregarded precautionary measures and applicable permits, and the action posed a great danger to the lives and property of others. The landslide has had a major negative impact on society," says Daniel Veivo Pettersson.
(TT) The landslide occurred at 01.39 on 23 September 2023, on the E6 at the height of Stenungsund. It covered an area of approximately 400 by 600 metres and led to extensive damage to the road and nearby buildings.
A total of seven vehicles drove into and down the landslide area. Three people were injured, although not seriously. At the same time, several trucks parked at a nearby rest area were damaged.
On July 3, 2024, King Carl XVI Gustaf inaugurated the repaired stretch of road and on July 5 at 6 a.m., traffic was reopened.
According to the Swedish Transport Administration, the final bill for the reconstruction was approximately SEK 550 million. In addition, Stenungsund Municipality has previously estimated that the landslide cost the municipality approximately SEK 270 million.
