Rosario arde. Familiares de víctimas y su relación con el Estado en el marco de una catástrofe

Abstract

The article analyzes the process of mobilization by family members of victims of a catastrophe that happened inRosario,Argentina, in 2013. The repairing of a gas leak in a building in the center of the city caused an explosion in an apartment tower killing 22 people and leaving a great number of injured people. Through an exploration of the groups created after the explosion to claim justice and to adjudicate responsibilities for what happened, my aim is to show the process of social production of the victims as such. Accordingly, I want to answer the following questions: In what way does a group of people consider themselves and are considered by others as victims of a preventable damage? What is the role of the State in such process? What positions do family members take when they have to confront different state mechanisms implemented in the context of some specific catastrophes? Our point of view stands on studies about victim actions, primarily highlighting the idea of mechanism as well as the contributions reflecting on catastrophes and victims of disaster. In order to achieve these goals, we have performed a qualitative work, based on deep interviews with key informants, observation at meetings, and analysis of press sources and official documents.