In Paris, some residents of rue de Trévise can return home this Tuesday, November 5. In 2019, a fatal explosion destroyed several apartments there. An expected but feared return for Odile, 83 years old. She returns to her apartment, after the authorities give the green light.
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Odile finds her apartment, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It was ravaged on January 12, 2019, by an explosion due to a gas leak which killed four people and injured 66 others.
400 people were affected. This Tuesday, November 5 marks a new milestone, because this 83-year-old resident is one of the first occupants to return to 6 rue de Trévise.
“I am happy, but also anxious because my husband is no longer here“, she confides. A new life is beginning for her: it's the end of a break of almost six years. If the damage is no longer visible, she still keeps in mind the images of this big explosion . Everything was shattered on January 12. “The dining room was one of the rooms that was very damaged. We see that the French window has been completely torn off, this gives an idea of the state the apartment was in.“, underlines his daughter Murielle.
Certain details sometimes bring back bad memories for the occupant of the premises: “The bowls have been sitting inside the dishwasher for almost six years. I had just finished my breakfast, and I heard tapping very loudly. I went to open it and there was an explosion at that moment.“
With some apprehensions over, she is now thinking of a happier future. Odile is now waiting to find her neighbors. “We have four wonderful couples. They told me, 'We won't abandon you.' If you need us we will be there, it warms your heart“, she notes, full of hope.
The 83-year-old woman is now back in her apartment. Other victims must do the same during this week.
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