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Saturday, November 12, the collapse of two buildings in Lille killed one person. An investigation for “endangering the lives of others” was opened to find out if the buildings were fragile or poorly maintained, before being extended to the count of “manslaughter” after the discovery of the victim.
After the end of the research, it is now time for the investigation to explain how two buildings came to be collapsed in the city center of Lille (Nord), Saturday November 12. All day Sunday, technical experts succeeded on site to analyze the rubble and check the stability of neighboring buildings. The investigations must determine if the two buildings were in poor condition, if they were destabilized by the work in progress, and if the owners were aware of any problems.
Photos posted before the collapse show a state of degradation of the building. For an architect accustomed to emergencies, it’s a lack of anticipation. The investigation opened by the Lille prosecutor’s office for “endangering the lives of others” was extended on Sunday to the charge of “manslaughter” after the discovery of the body of a man in the rubble. According to the mayor of Lille, Martine Aubry, an order of imminent danger had been taken for one of the collapsed buildings. The Minister for Housing, Olivier Klein, meanwhile indicated on Saturday that the building was not unsanitary. He is expected on site on Monday.