Benjamin Peter, edited by Antoine Terrel 8:12 am, September 21, 2021

20 years after the disaster that injured thousands and claimed the lives of 31 people, the old crater remains a pristine area, but the plant has given way to a cancer research center and a photovoltaic power plant. 

REPORTING

20 years after the tragedy, Toulouse commemorates the deadly explosion of the AZF factory, which left 31 dead and thousands of injured. As every year, a ceremony must take place on the site of the factory, during which the names of the 31 dead will be given. At the time, the plant's site was at the heart of the Toulouse chemical hub, which has since been partly transformed. The chemical plant has thus notably given way to a cancer research center. 

From the road, we first see a vast wasteland overgrown with vegetation. It is only after several hundred meters that paths delimit the AZF memorial, where the ceremonies take place. For the deputy for cultural and memorial policies, Francis Grass, it is a space that must come to life. "Today, the site is a somewhat virgin area where there is still the crater which has not been freed from the seals", he indicates at the microphone of Europe 1. According to the elected official, "this are sectors that are probably urbanizable. There are still development possibilities. We created a photovoltaic site behind ". And to conclude: "This part of memory is preserved. We would like it to be a place to visit, signaled in town so that we can go there."

"Bringing hope to life"

Further south, the chemical center has given way to biotechnologies, led by the Oncopole, which opened in 2014. For its director, Professor Jean-Pierre Delord, to set up here this center of excellence dedicated to care and research , that made sense.

"The thousands of patients who have been cared for for more than six years are probably the best witnesses that hope can be brought to life on a site like this. A great catastrophe on the one hand, a great hope on the other, ”he said. 

Ultimately, 8,000 people should work on this pole.

The upcoming arrival of the cable car, which will link the Oncopole to the University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine, should make it possible to open up this area of ​​the Toulouse metropolis.