The inquest into the deaths of six Britons and a UK-based Columbian national who were killed when terrorists laid siege to the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria is set to take place later this year.
West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield told those representing the families of the dead men that September and October had been set aside for the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Carson Bilsland and Kenneth Whiteside, both from Scotland, Sebastian John, from Norfolk, Stephen Green, from Hampshire, Paul Morgan and Garry Barlow, both from Liverpool, and Carlos Estrada, a BP executive who was originally from Columbia but lived in London, were among 40 hostages who were killed at the In Amenas plant in the north African country during a four-day stand-off which began on January 16 last year.
Some 29 of the hostage-takers died, while three were captured by Algerian troops during a special forces mission to end the bloodshed.
Detective Superintendent Jim Stokley, from the Met Police, told today’s hearing at Crawley Town Hall that statements still needed to be taken from witnesses in the United States, France, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
He said a memorial service will be held in Houston, Texas, on February 19 where witnesses will also have their statements taken.
Lawyers for Mr Estrada’s family, who live in Chelsea, west London, said his relatives are still in the dark over the circumstances of his death more than a year on from the atrocity.
Mr Estrada had worked for BP for 18 years and had risen to the post of vice-president of non-operated assets.
He was on his first business trip to the In Amenas plant when he was taken hostage and killed during his time in captivity.
Clive Garner, of law firm Irwin Mitchell, representing Mr Estrada’s family, said: “This inquest is an opportunity to provide the vital answers that Mr Estrada’s family, and the families of other victims, desperately need.
“It is now over a year since Mr Estrada died and his family still do not know exactly what happened to him and how this tragedy occurred.
“It is hoped that the inquest will help the families who lost their loved ones understand exactly what happened so that lessons can be learnt in case of any similar incidents in future.”
A further pre-inquest hearing is expected to take place at Crawley Town Hall on May 20 at 2pm.