“It’s unbearable and horrible”: the mayor of Barcarès, Alain Ferrand, devastated by the fire which ravaged the Christmas market

“It is unbearable and horrible. Beyond all the economic, social and collateral consequences of this disaster, I think of all my teams who, given my imposed absence, had mobilized without counting to organize this edition which 'announced exceptional.' Joined by The Independentthe mayor of Barcarès, Alain Ferrand, does not hide his emotion after the fire which ravaged part of the Christmas market on the night of Sunday 10 to Monday 11 November.

The chosen one speaks of a “drama”of a “catastrophe”. “I feel pain and also immeasurable anger at not being able to help and support the municipal teams, all the people impacted, businesses, artisan traders directly”he said to our colleagues.

Six months behind bars

Alain Ferrand was released from prison on Thursday October 31, after six months in detention. He was placed under judicial supervision with restrictive measures. He is accused of acts of “favoritism” and more precisely of having favored a private company concerning the municipality's call for tenders for the construction of wooden chalets for the famous Christmas market, the municipality's flagship event for end of year celebrations. The extension of his detention, initially planned until the end of December, was canceled.

Alain Ferrand, who is the subject of other accusations, was arrested on April 28 at the Fréjorgues-Montpellier-Mediterranean airport when he got off the plane, coming from Congo-Brazzaville, with several tens of thousands of euros and dollars on him.

1.6 million visitors in 2023

In 2023, remember France 3 Occitaniethe Barcarès Christmas market attracted 1.6 million visitors, “which makes it one of the largest Christmas markets in France”. It remains to be seen whether this year it will be able to open as planned on Saturday November 16. “A decision should be taken shortly, based on the assessment of the extent of the damage”assure The Independent.