It is with great emotion that hundreds of people gathered Sunday morning at a mass in tribute to the three victims of the explosion which took place Thursday in St-Roch-de-l’Achigan.
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“Everyone knows each other, we know all those who are still missing, it’s a tragedy. We want to show that we are in solidarity with these people we have known forever, ”drops André Henri, who has always lived in the municipality of Lanaudière and neighbor of one of the victims.
The emotion was palpable in the small church of St-Roch-de-l’Achigan, as the mass began in tears and hugs of support between the members of this “tightly woven” community.
The community is still in shock after an explosion took place Thursday at the Propane Lafortune plant.
“It gave me goosebumps when the songs started, you really feel a very strong solidarity,” said Chantale Croteau, a former resident of St-Roch-de-l’Achigan who made the trip especially for Mass.
A full church
Usually, only about thirty faithful attend Sunday mass in this city of nearly 5,400 inhabitants. But yesterday, the church was almost full, a sign that everyone is directly or indirectly affected by the tragedy.
“The motto of our community is ‘The family, our pride’ and we wanted to come together today as a family to think of those who are still missing as we speak and to say to the families who are going through the unbearable wait after more than three days “don’t let go!” “, declared at the exit of the church, the throat knotted by the emotion, the mayor of St-Roch-de-l’Achigan, Sébastien Marcil.
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Sebastien Marcil, mayor
Several elected officials, federal and provincial, also participated in the ceremony to show their support.
“In the face of such a tragedy that will forever mark our memories, words fail us, because we know deep in our hearts that few words can have enough strength to ease this pain, this pain that you all feel,” said the MP for Montcalm, Luc Thériault.
Unimaginable
Since the tragedy, three people are still missing: Céline Pilon, France Desrosiers and a subcontractor who was on the scene at the time of the explosion.
For many, the tribute paid on Sunday morning also and above all made it possible to show support for the families of the victims.
“We can imagine what they are going through, but we will be there to support them and help them get through it,” promised Mr. Henri.
“Everyone has been upside down since Thursday. I knew who was working there that day, we knew them. We know everyone. They are friends, ”said Carole Brisebois, a few minutes after mass.
Still present at the scene of the tragedy, the Sureté du Québec was today carrying out an appraisal of the site and securing the scene.
“For now it is too early to talk about the causes and circumstances surrounding the event. Investigators will have to take legal steps to enable them to continue their investigative work. Several hypotheses are being studied, ”commented the spokesperson for the police force, Catherine Bernard.