Shell to be prosecuted over Bacton blast

The Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive are to bring a joint prosecution against Royal Dutch Shell for the explosion and fire at their Bacton, Norfolk gas treatment plant in 2008. Criminal proceedings for serious breaches of environmental and health and safety legislation will be launched at Norwich Magistrates Court in January 2011. Bacton is one of the largest gas terminal complexes in the UK and was responsible, at the time of the fire, for importing 10% of Britain’s gas supply. None of Shell’s 46 workers were injured during the incident.