Marseille Protests Expulsion of Rue d’Aubagne Disaster Survivor Reda

On November 5, 2025, around 200 people gathered in Marseille to commemorate the tragic collapse of buildings on rue d’Aubagne that occurred seven years ago, which killed eight people. The event, including family members of the victims holding white flowers and portraits, also served as a protest against the recent expulsion of Reda, a recognized survivor of the disaster, to Tunisia. Despite Reda’s official status as a victim, he was expelled, raising concerns over his ability to participate in the appeal trial set for November 2026.

Marseille’s Mayor Benoît Payan addressed the crowd, demanding accountability from past city officials and urging them to apologize to the victims’ families for their failures. The gathering chanted for "justice and truth," emphasizing the injustice seen in Reda’s case. Activists, alongside the mayor and several deputies, have called for a presidential pardon to allow Reda’s return ahead of the trial.

Lynda Larbi, a relative of a victim, criticized the disparity in treatment between Reda and the accused responsible for the disaster, noting that those accused remain free and face lighter penalties. This protest highlights ongoing demands for justice and transparency regarding the rue d’Aubagne tragedy and its aftermath.