One Voice Terminates Talks with Government Over CCCL Explosion Compensation
The One Voice for Victims of the CCCL Explosion Association has officially cut off negotiations with the Government of Seychelles and the Civil Construction Company Ltd (CCCL), citing a continued failure to secure justice and meaningful compensation for the victims of the devastating 7 December 2023 explosion in Cascade.
The association, which represents dozens of families and businesses affected by the blast, released a strongly worded statement this week accusing both the state and CCCL of dragging their feet and showing a lack of sincerity in addressing the “immense human, emotional and financial toll” caused by the incident.
“We have exhausted all diplomatic channels. The people of Cascade have waited long enough,” the statement read. “Our trust has been eroded by silence, delays, and empty promises. We are left with no choice but to walk away.”
The decision marks a serious escalation in the months-long dispute over accountability and restitution for an explosion that rocked the eastern district, flattening homes and businesses, injuring several people, and causing extensive psychological trauma.
While preliminary assessments estimated the damage in the hundreds of millions of rupees, affected residents claim they’ve been left in limbo, with compensation offers far below actual losses—if any have materialised at all.
“We didn’t survive the blast to be ignored in silence,” said one affected business owner who asked to remain anonymous. “This was a disaster caused by negligence, and we are the ones paying for it every single day.”
The group’s withdrawal from negotiations now raises serious questions about what recourse remains for victims. Legal action and public mobilisation are reportedly being considered, as frustration in the community deepens.
As of now, neither the Government nor CCCL has publicly responded to the announcement.
The explosion, which remains under investigation, is already being viewed as one of the most serious industrial disasters in Seychelles’ recent history. With One Voice stepping away from the negotiation table, the path to justice just got more uncertain—and perhaps more confrontational.
