At the epicenter of the 5.4 magnitude earthquake that hit western France on Friday, the damage is extensive. There are 200 people to be rehoused, and the psychological consequences of the earthquake are heavy. An aid cell was opened by the firefighters.
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Three days after the earthquake of magnitude 5.4 on the Richter scale, in western France, and which was felt inrom Bordeaux to Rennes, the emotion remains strong in La Laigne (Charente-Maritime). This town is close to the epicenter of the earthquake. The Minister of Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, is expected on site on Monday.
>> Earthquake in Charente-Maritime: “It is an area which does not move very often, but which has sustained activity”, explains seismologist Yann Klinger
The whole village is affected, cracks crack all the facades of the houses. 80 are now uninhabitable and there are 200 people to be rehoused. In addition to the material damage, there is the psychological trauma, an aid cell has also been opened.
The fear of reliving an earthquake
Many residents watch the scene continuously. “A big boom, as if it were a plane crashing”, says one of them. For another: “The television and the aquarium are broken…”. “If we are told that we have to shave the house, everything falls into the water. And even repairing it is not possible, we will always have a fear. We will always wonder if it was done well, s ‘there is no risk’asks a man.
This feeling of fear, these deep concerns were also noted by the firefighters. This is what prompted them to open a psychological help cell. According to Captain Loic Morin, of Sdis 17, it is essential to talk about this trauma: “A big truck passing not far from where you are can revive the earthquake, everything can reappear. There is a need to evacuate.”
Children even more sensitive
The shock is even more present in children. Damien is the father of two little girls aged 5 and 8, and they are having a hard time getting over it : “Big crying spells. They wondered what was going on. It took a good hour to reassure them. And during the night, rebelote. They heard it very loudly, it woke them up.”
In addition to this support cell, this father would also like some time to talk to young people. A way also for them to find themselves since their school is now closed.