A FRENCH court yesterday found 13 defendants guilty in connection with the 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel fire.

A long-awaited verdict in the trial of 16 defendants over the 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel fire was expected today, more than six years after the blaze incinerated trucks and cars, killing 39 people.

Thousands of environmental protesters opposed to the reopening of the Mont Blanc tunnel to heavy trucks today blocked all traffic on the French side of the Alpine passage.

A small explosion occurred at the French entrance to the Mont Blanc tunnel early today, several hours before the long-awaited reopening of the Alpine passage, destroying a maintenance truck but causing no injuries.