On November 5, 2018, the collapse of two buildings on Rue d’Aubagne in Marseille left a deep trauma in the city, causing the death of eight people. Six years later, an emotional filter persists, as families and citizens continue to gather to honor the memory of their loved ones and demand justice. This tragic drama has become the echo of a broader fight against substandard housing that plagues certain neighborhoods in Marseille. With the upcoming opening of a trial, the time has come to remember and advocate for change.
Gathering in memory of the victims
Every year, at the same hour, hundreds of residents gather to pay tribute to the victims of the collapses. This ritual, imbued with sorrow and solidarity, marks not only the memory of the deceased but also a call for collective awareness of the issues surrounding degraded housing. Families do not forget: they carry portraits of their loved ones, torches in hand, and solidarity is displayed on their faces. Tears flow, associations voice their concerns, and silence is sometimes broken by the lamentations of relatives, revealing a still vivid pain.
The words of pain and hope
The speeches of the mothers of the victims are particularly poignant. They evoke suffering, while at the same time expressing a hope: that this trial brings a semblance of reparation and justice. The mother of Chérif Zemar, present from Algeria, and Liliana Lalonde, mother of Julien, take turns addressing the authorities. By emphasizing the importance of human dignity, they remind that behind every number, every statistic, there are broken lives. “Don’t think about money anymore, think about the lives you take by renting out substandard housing,” she pleads, a desperate call in the face of a reality often ignored by decision-makers.
A long-awaited trial
The upcoming trial will involve sixteen defendants, reflecting a desire to shed light on the responsibilities that weigh on the shoulders of property owners and syndics. It will be a decisive moment for all those affected by this tragedy, a moment when hopes are that justice will not be lenient. Families, supported by collectives, want to ensure that this trial is not just a mere formality but a real turning point to end substandard housing, a scourge that still affects many people in Marseille. The continued mobilization around this event underscores a determination not to let this injustice fade from memory.
The demand for decent housing
As testimonies multiply, many voices call for a profound change in the management of housing in Marseille. Residents speak not only of the eight victims of the tragedy but of all those who live today in unsanitary conditions and fear the possibility of a collapse. “We do not want this to happen again,” they cry. In this context, the Collectif du 5 novembre plays a key role, urging residents to make their voices heard and reminding the State of its responsibilities in urban policy.
In Marseille, on Rue d’Aubagne, the events of November 5, 2018, are more than just a memory. They embody an urgent call for justice, at every moment, and a demand for the improvement of housing. Families, more than ever, are committed to ensuring that the wounds of a tragic past are not forgotten. They step into the public arena, fighting so that the memory of their loved ones is not in vain and that others do not suffer the same fate. The path to justice remains fraught with challenges, but the Marseille community remains resolute: together, they will fight for a dignified future.
