Overview

• The ongoing trial examines the 2018 collapse of two buildings on Rue d'Aubagne in Marseille, which resulted in eight deaths and exposed severe housing neglect.
• Former deputy mayor Julien Ruas faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering lives, with the court scrutinizing his lack of involvement and failure to act on repeated warnings.
• Reports dating back years before the tragedy revealed widespread unsafe housing conditions in Marseille, with over 40,000 substandard units identified in a 2015 report.
• Despite an allocated €6.5 million budget for urgent repairs, only €350,000 was spent over four years, as officials prioritized pressuring landlords over direct intervention.
• Testimonies revealed systemic understaffing and resource shortages in city departments tasked with addressing urban risks, despite internal warnings of potential catastrophic consequences.