What happened in Marseille in 2018? Two residential buildings on Daubagne street collapsed, burying eight people and causing panic among residents. Investigations revealed that the buildings had been in catastrophic condition for years, with cracks and water leaks, and authorities failed to act on warnings. After nearly seven years of legal proceedings, the court handed mostly suspended sentences to 16 defendants, including owners, city officials, and experts. The harshest sentence was four years in prison, sparking outrage among victims and the public. Tenants and associations demand housing policy reform and justice for the victims, while civil society warns that the problem of unsafe housing in Marseille persists and could lead to new tragedies. This verdict is just the tip of the iceberg of housing safety issues and government accountability. Has justice been served, or is this another example of a system protecting the powerful while ordinary people pay the price? Share your thoughts — maybe together we can spark real change!
