The trial of the collapses of rue d’Aubagne ends today.
We will have heard the heartbreaking testimonies of the families of the victims and the appalling story of that morning of November 5, 2018, detailed by experts. We will also have heard the requisitions of the Marseille prosecutor, taking stock of the tragedy and welcoming the action of citizen collectives and the #BalanceTonTaudis operation launched by our newspaper.
We now hear the defense of the accused trying to wrestle with the facts to mitigate their responsibilities.
This trial is extraordinary because the tragedy of the rue d’Aubagne is extraordinary. In Marseille and throughout France, it had the effect of an electric shock on the extent of poor housing.
Path
resilience
Establishing responsibility will of course not bring back any of the victims but, even before the judgment is rendered, this trial says something fundamental to our society: no one can imagine not having to be held accountable in matters of substandard housing.
The road to resilience will still be long as the problem is so serious in Marseille, but this trial brings to an end several years during which the victims’ families and residents demanded justice. Without waiting for the decisions that the magistrates will take, we can say that Marseille will never be the same again.
Beyond the precincts of the court, there remain many slumlords and victims of substandard housing. Count on The Marseillaise so as not to let go of the matter, from its place: that of a news journal committed to respecting fundamental rights.
