Hélène Geoffroy, mayor of Vaulx: “We mourn our dead”
“I thank you all for your very numerous presence. […] We are in Vaulx-en-Velin, happy with this immense solidarity because it gives comfort”.
“This afternoon, we mourn our dead and we are here to bring comfort and support to the living. This is the meaning of the time of recollection that I now propose to you. »
She then proposed a time of silence. Long and sad, it was shared by several hundred people in the freezing cold.
3:50 p.m. | poignant silence
The emotion is palpable on the Place de la Nation, this Friday afternoon. The silence, much respected, is poignant. The long minutes of contemplation bring a few tears to the cheeks of Vaudais.
3:30 p.m. | Families of survivors arrive by bus
The families of survivors will participate in the meditation. They arrived from Meyzieu (where they are staying) by bus.
3:20 p.m. | Local elected officials
Many elected officials are there. Hélène Geoffroy (mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin), Grégory Doucet (mayor of Lyon), Bruno Bernard (president of the Metropolis) and the prefect Pascal Mailhos made the trip. The rector, as well as the mayors of Vénissieux, Feyzin and Villeurbanne are also present.
3:05 p.m. | Many people for the tribute Place de la Nation
According to our journalists on site, between 300 and 400 people gathered at Place de la Nation, in front of the town hall of Vaulx-en-Velin, to pay tribute to the victims.
2:40 p.m. | The flags at half mast in front of the town hall of Vaulx
In front of the town hall of Vaulx-en-Velin, where a rally of support is to be held at 3 p.m. the day after the tragic fire which killed 10 people, the flags are at half mast.
20 minutes from the rally, there are still not many people in front of the town hall of the city.
Photo Progress / Maxime JEGAT
Photo Progress / Maxime JEGAT
Photo Progress / Laurie ABADIE
2:10 p.m. | A meeting scheduled for 3 p.m.
Still in front of the Victor-Jara space, the volunteers organize themselves and remind that a rally is planned at 3 p.m. in front of the town hall.
1:50 p.m. | The survivors settled in Meyzieu
The survivors are well at the Epide de Meyzieu. A bus is present on the site. As well as the White Cross.
According to a lady I met at the exit, people are doing well, even if it is still very difficult today. They settle down and try to make their mark.
Photo Progress / Florence VILLARD
Photo Progress / Florence VILLARD
Photo Progress / Florence VILLARD
1:25 p.m. | The mobilization continues at the Jara space
While waiting for the rally scheduled for this Saturday at 3 p.m. in front of the town hall of Vaulx-en-Velin, at the Victor-Jara space, the mobilization continues. At least 200 volunteers have been supporting the solidarity movement since Saturday morning.
Photo Progress / Laurie ABADIE
1:10 p.m. | A presence to “support families”
Marie lives in the center of Vaulx-en-Velin. “At home, it’s the rodeos that we suffer. She came to Mass “to support the families”. And also in memory of a trauma experienced in Villeurbanne, Tonkin.
“There too, there were dealers. They had set fire to the garages. We lived on the 14th, there was smoke, we were very scared. The smoke fog was thick, we couldn’t run away. It was 20 years ago in Tonkin. This trauma is very present. I’m here because we have to help families in pain. »
Vanessa, Vaudaise. Photo Progress/Laurie ABADIE
12:50 p.m. | “In Vaulx, there is a particular inexplicable link”
Vanessa grew up in the neighborhood where the tragedy happened. The impressive mobilization of residents and associations did “not surprise her at all”. “In Vaulx, there is exceptional solidarity, mutual aid and sharing. There is a particular inexplicable connection. We’re like a big family, it’s like that all the time, in good times and bad. »
“Solidarity came to warm our hearts”
At 22, Aïssata Ndiaye has been president since 2018 of the Vaud association Coeur banlieu’zhar. “We are speechless at the solidarity shown by the volunteers, who have been working tirelessly since yesterday. »
Abdelhakim Margoum is also a volunteer. “We received tons and tons of donations, several rooms are full of them. Since 8 am, we’ve only been sorting clothes. On donations, we don’t need anything anymore. We need hands to sort. »
Discover the testimony of the two volunteers in video
12:45 p.m. | Strong emotion after mass
“I am here because I am from Vaulx-en-Velin, out of solidarity. I came to pray for the rest of people’s souls,” explains Véronique. Before adding: “I am here too because I am very angry. »
Véronique left the Chemin des Barques 10 years ago and does not hide her anger. She came to attend mass. “There have been squats for 20 years, we have been bored for all these years. We want action. People are buying apartments, they can’t afford to pay the utilities and everything is deteriorating. It’s tinkering everywhere. I’m not surprised at what happens. The squatters in the alleys broke the windows, the mailboxes. They insulted us, spat on us. They make the law here. I am very angry. It is the innocent who drink. »
See his testimonial video below
12:35 p.m. | Associations are active
The Villeurbannaise association Sahbi has a branch in Vaulx, in the Tase district. The association’s thirty volunteers are busy sorting donations this Saturday.
12:20 p.m. | The pot is still filling up
A online kitty was quickly opened after the tragedy to help families in need. This Saturday noon, it displays 56,000 € collected.
12 hours | Songs and prayers
A woman in her thirties is praying, kneeling in the entrance to the church of Saint-Thomas de Vaulx-en-Velin, where mass is taking place. She knows residents who lived in the burned building, she is still waiting for news. At his side, his two children are playing ball.
A little further on, Christian songs resound.
11:45 a.m. | The collection continues
This Saturday morning, collection operations continue in front of the Jara space. From 7:30 a.m., people from all over were there.
A drama that “affects everyone in Vaulx-en-Velin”
11:15 a.m. | Mass has begun
The mass in homage to the victims of the fire began, in the Saint-Thomas church. It is Archbishop Mgr Olivier de Germay who officiates. In the audience, we recognize the imams of the Okba mosque.
About 200 people are present.
This Friday, December 16 will remain sadly in the memory of the people of Vaud. A fire broke out in the middle of the night on the ground floor of a seven-story building. The toll is terrible: ten dead, including five childrenaged between 3 and 15 years.
Very quickly, a chain of solidarity was set up to help the survivors.
This Saturday, the city pays tribute to the victims. A mass is organized in the church of Saint-Thomas de Vaulx-en-Velin (3 rue Driss Benzekri), celebrated by Archbishop Mgr Olivier de Germay. This afternoon, a rally is planned in front of the town hall, Place de la Nation, at 3 p.m. A book of condolences will be made available at the reception of the town hall, exceptionally open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.