Nice airport risks shutdown over oil safety concerns 04/06/2007 00:00

NICE, France, June 4, 2007 (AFP) - Several oil firms are to stand trial for storing fuel in dangerous conditions at France's third airport, in the Riviera city of Nice, a judicial official said Monday.

At the outcome of the trial, set to begin on September 25, the court may rule to temporarily shut down the airport until the companies, which include Total, Shell and Esso, fall back into line.

The firms are accused of endangering airport safety by storing kerosene in tankers parked on site at the airport, due to a lack of proper holding facilities. The regional chamber of commerce is also accused of turning a blind eye to the situation.

All risk 375,000-euro (500,000-dollar) fines for the "illegal exploitation of unauthorised permanent reservoirs."

"The excess stock is kept in conditions that represent a safety problem. There is a risk of a chain reaction that could spread to the aircraft," said state prosecutor Eric de Montgolfier.

On Sunday a tanker operated by BP and carrying 24,000 litres (6,240 gallons) of kerosene overturned at Nice airport after apparently taking a bend too sharply -- although the fuel did not spill onto the runway.

Copyright AFP

SUbject: French news