The public debate into the communication in case of a crisis. The reactions of the inhabitants after the serious accident of November 9 1992 at la Mede

Full text of publication follows: in accordance with the European directive, 'Directive Seveso', concerning the prevention of major industrial risk (excluding nuclear), an extensive information campaign on security instructions was organised in the spring of 1989 in the industrial zone of l'Etang de Berre, near Marseille. On November 9. 1992, a violent explosion of hydrocarbon of the Total refinery, situated at La Mede, caused the death of 6 people and damages of nearly 3 billion Francs. The experts have classified this disaster at the highest possible level on the scale of accidentology, that is to say as a 'serious accident' or 'catastrophe'. This was the opportunity to evaluate the actual efficiency of the policy using information to prevent accident within population. In the week that followed, a double sociological survey, qualitative and quantitative was carried out involving 600 residents living near the factory. The results of this survey were interpreted using the model theory 'd'espace public' by J. Habernas as a base to formalize the method of debate between the citizens and the authorities. The survey shows that once the initial phase of the accident is over, in which the resident are willing to obey civilly, they look, during a second phase to create a public debate in which to compare their perceptions to the official analysis of the facts. However of those who were unable to participate in such a debate at the selected times and places, the majority stayed secluded in their homes, and observed at a distance since the authorities had judged it unnecessary to inform the public. Those, who were unable to participate in these discussions less understood the gravity of the disaster and its consequences than those who had the opportunity to change their point of view. Their anxiety grew inversely appear to that of those involved in the debates who better controlled their distress due to these meetings. To finish, this drama undermined their confidence in respect to the authorities and led them to doubt the efficiency of the security instructions. The dysfunctions observed are therefore not attributable to the campaign towards prevention through greater information and moreover to the management of communication for at crisis. (author)