Two survivors of the Saint-Jean-Vianney tragedy in Saguenay, which killed 31 people more than 50 years ago, are relieved that dozens of residents were quickly evacuated to La Baie to avoid another tragedy.
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“Get out of here as soon as possible if you have any doubts!” I understand people’s fears, but it’s better to wait a few months away from home than to lose a life,” emphasizes Rolande Lavoie.
The latter has the impression of playing in the same film these days, seeing dozens of apartments in La Baie subject to an evacuation order.
“When I saw what was happening in La Baie, it really touched me. I’m sure everyone in Saint-Jean-Vianney thought the same thing. It makes us relive the tragedy we went through 50 years ago,” explains Ms. Lavoie.
Marked for life
The deadly landslide that engulfed Saint-Jean-Vianney in May 1971 killed 31 people and destroyed 42 homes.
“My father was the mayor of the city at the time. I then went on a helicopter flight. I remember looking at the houses that were destroyed as I walked past all these dead people, some of whom have not even been found, ”recalls the man who was 23 years old at the time of the tragedy.
Rolande Lavoie adds that her best friend of 21 years, Jeannette Landry, died during this sad event.
“I will never forget that. They said the names of the dead on the radio and they said his. I still think about her a lot. At least this time, the city of La Baie acted quickly to prevent further deaths,” she notes.
Similar observations for Denys Claveau, another tragedy survivor who narrowly escaped in 1971.
“Luckily for me, I was a little further away at a school preparing for a convention. We ran out of power. After that my father’s cousins came and told us that the houses went into the earth. We didn’t believe them,” says Mr. Claveau.
Good choice
The latter insists the city acted well by quickly evacuating residents of La Baie this weekend.
“I’m relieved, yes. They did this out of caution and it’s a good idea. The scale is different from Saint-Jean-Vianney, but it’s the same principle,” concludes Denys Claveau.
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