'Design faults' caused QM2 deaths

Many of the victims were relatives of shipyard workers

The collapse of a walkway on the world's largest luxury liner that killed 15 people was due to design faults, public prosecutors have said.

"There was a design problem with the walkway," French prosecutor Pierre-Marie Block told a press conference.

He said the walkway collapsed because it lacked support beams.

The accident on the Queen Mary 2 occurred while the unfinished liner was in dry dock in the French port of Saint Nazaire last November.

Presenting the conclusions of a report drafted by three experts, Mr Block said the number of people on the walkway at the time was not a factor in the accident.

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Those who died were attending a special open day to see the new vessel.

The victims landed on the concrete floor of the dry dock after a fall of almost 15 metres.

Thirty-two people, including children, were also hurt in the accident.

The 10m (30ft) walkway from the quayside to the ship had been constructed just the day before it broke. It was put in place by specialist French firm Endel.

The 150,000-ton 1,132ft vessel officially entered service on 12 January with her maiden voyage - a sell-out two-week cruise from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The ship has 1,310 cabins - including four royal suites and six penthouses - 2,000 bathrooms and 3,000 telephones.

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