Prosecutors in southern Poland on Friday charged 12 people in connection with a roof collapse that killed 65 people during an international pigeon fair in 2006, dpa reported.
Prosecutors concluded that the accident was caused by mistakes in the hall's design and construction, which later caused the roof to cave in under heavy snow, the PAP news agency reported.
They alleged that the designers were trying to save money and cut corners when they drew up a faulty plan for the columns and roof. Later on, the building's managers also ignored warning signs that the roof was unstable under heavy weight.
Two designers each face up to 12 years in jail if convicted. Others charged include the building's inspector and members of the hall's governing board.
The hall's roof collapsed on January 28, 2006 with some 1,000 people inside during an international exhibition of carrier pigeons. It was the worst building collapse in Polish history.