Kaprun Tunnel Disaster: Suit dismissed

4/25/2002Wien

In its final judgement, the New York court of competent jurisdiction over the actions for damages associated with the tunnel disaster of Kaprun now confirmed that the suit filed by US attorney Ed Fagan has been dismissed. The court had already announced this in its interim judgement of November 15, 2001.

The final judgement of April 19, 2002 reads as follows: Since the Republic of Austria is the majority stockholder of VERBUND, the company is enjoying immunity in US courts. According to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act foreign nations are outside the jurisdiction of US courts.