France investigates TotalEnergies over 2021 Mozambique attack

NEW DELHI: French prosecutors have initiated an investigation into TotalEnergies, a major oil company, for potential involuntary manslaughter related to a jihadist attack that occurred in Mozambique in 2021, as reported by AFP on Saturday.

The investigation was initiated by a complaint filed by the families of the victims and survivors of the attack. They allege that TotalEnergies, which was involved in a liquefied gas project in the area, failed to adequately protect its subcontractors. According to the prosecutors' office, the complaint also accuses the company of not providing fuel for helicopters to evacuate civilians following the attack by Islamic State-linked militants in Palma, a port town in Mozambique, on March 24, 2021.

The attack in Cabo Delgado province lasted for several days and resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. Some victims were beheaded, and thousands of people were forced to flee their homes.

A TotalEnergies spokesman when asked about the probe reiterated a previous statement, stating that the company "firmly rejects the accusations".

He said that TotalEnergies' teams in Mozambique provided urgent assistance and facilitated the evacuation of 2,500 people from the plant, including civilians, staff, contractors, and sub-contractors.

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