Sixteen people accused of negligence over a ski train fire that killed 155 people in November 2000 were cleared by an Austrian court today.
The 16 resort workers, train operators and safety inspectors had faced potential five-year jail terms on charges of negligently causing a fire or negligently causing danger to the public after Austria's worst post-war disaster.
"The court did not have an easy time reaching this decision," Judge Manfred Seiss said as some relatives of the dead shouted in protest from the public gallery and others walked out.
Only 12 people survived the accident at the Alpine ski resort of Kaprun when fire raced through a funicular train, bringing its two crowded carriages to a halt in a tunnel.
Prosecutors said that an electric heater not designed for use in vehicles caused the blaze, that there was no fire-fighting equipment in the carriages and that the doors did not open when the train stopped, trapping passengers inside.
Judge Manfred Seiss, who was due to read out his grounds for the verdict later on Thursday, told the court possible damages could only be sought though a civil process.
"Where is justice? Where is fairness? Good luck Austria! In my eyes there is no justice in Austria," said Mr Peter Decker, whose 34-year-old son died in the blaze."I feel sick, I feel nauseous. I am very sad that I live in a country where justice works this way."
Ms Ursula Geiger from Germany, who lost her son, said she couldn't stand to listen to the verdict. "I just couldn't listen to it. The Austria laws have so many holes that the prosecutors couldn't find the guilty parties."
The dead included German, Japanese and US tourists as well as Austrians. The 12 people who survived managed to break open a window and escape.