Going up the tarmac aisle, a row of men, his face closed, relies against a long wall. Everyone firmly sticks their phone to the ear. Do they call relatives, friends? No doubt.
The day before, on Monday, two children aged 7 and 8 were found in cardiorepiratory arrest, around 7 p.m., under a tarpaulin of a private and above -ground swimming pool of a property located near the land occupied by this community of travel people.
Despite the intervention of the firefighters, the children could not be resuscitated. Their disappearance had been reported a few hours earlier by their families, worried not to see them come back.
Behind the open portals, overlooking the dozens of caravans and the hard houses of the sedentary community in this sector adjoining the avenue Jean-Michard-Pellissier, in Antibes, the atmosphere is heavy, as suspended.
“Be sure not to drive too quickly, families are in mourning here. Another drama should not occur“, Sets a woman with drawn features. A little further, other neighbors wander with sorrow, pushing herself to let pass more and more cars.
The preferred accidental track
How could two toddlers be able to escape the vigilance of their parents so long? Under what circumstances? The blur remains for the moment.
The Grasse prosecutor’s office specifies that an investigation was opened to determine the exact causes of their death. This must continue “in the coming weeks” and, by then, no judicial decision can be taken as long as all the elements have not been analyzed.
Practiced quickly, as of this Tuesday afternoon, autopsies are already deliver first elements: “At this point, they invite to rule out any intervention of a third party and to retain the hypothesis of an accidental drowning.”
Anatomo-pathological analyzes-medical examinations carried out on body tissue (such as organs or cells) to observe possible anomalies or lesions-and toxicological are however in progress to complete the exams.
“Prevention measures must be taken”
Faced with the emotion aroused by this tragedy, the mayor of Antibes, Jean Leonetti, published in the process a declaration of gravity: “Two children who die drowned … it’s an absolute drama. […] It sometimes takes only a minute of inattention for a drama to occur.”
The elected official insisted on the importance of prevention without trying to point the finger at the bereaved families, in response to the many comments on social networks going in this direction: “Parents should not be guilty, who must experience unbearable mourning. […] It remains a dagger in their hearts all their lives.”
And to recall that the pool drownings represent almost a third of the drownings in France, the councilor has also underlined the devices put in place throughout the year, in Antibes, to teach children to swim, although it recognizes that this does not constitute “not an absolute guarantee“, but” important protection “.
How to learn to swim in Antibes?
In addition to the school courses insured within the framework of the certificate of knowledge to swim in security (ASNS), piloted by the French Swimming Federation and National Education, the nautical stadium Jean-Bunoz offers regular internships from 6 years under the eye of Alain Bernard.
During the school holidays, children can follow five sessions of 45 minutes, for 40 euros per week. “And this, throughout the year, even during the work that takes place at the moment,” said the municipality.
The mini -club of the Cercle des Nageurs d’Antibes, intended for children aged 5 to 8, also provides individual and progressive learning, with educational follow -up. For older children, intensive courses for 10-17 year olds are available.