19 years after the Cromañón tragedy: tributes to the Obelisk and Once to remember the victims

With a procession and artistic performances, several groups of survivors, family and friends of the victims of the fire Cro-Magnon in which 194 people died They will remember the tragedy that occurred on December 30, 2004, exactly 19 years ago.

The “No Nos Cuenten Cromañón” organization will take place this Saturday starting at 5pm. an event in homage to the victims and survivors of the Obeliskwith guest artists and presentation of the book Voices, Time, Truthwritten by Bruno Larocca.

The event can also be seen in streaming after registering on www.acto.nonoscuenten.com.ar.

Also on Saturday, the Movimiento Cromañón will propose an entire day that will begin at 10 am at the Santuario de Once, bordering the former Cromañón bowling alley, and will continue with a mass at 6.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires, followed by a press conference in Plaza de Mayo and at 7.30 pm march towards the Sanctuary with a final tribute ceremony.

“On the 19th anniversary of the Cromañón massacre, we invite to place the body in the streets for Memory, truth and justice and against the impunity of yesterday and today,” said the Cromañón Movement in the dissemination of the activity, adding : “More than ever it is important to come together, express ourselves collectively, paint, shout, sing, march.”

The tragedy

On December 30, 2004, during the mandate of Aníbal Ibarra at the helm of the Government of Buenos Aires, 194 people died and more than 1,500 were injured when they were trapped in the República Cromañón bowling alley, whose manager Omar Chabán allowed far more attendees than authorized for the Callejeros band’s recital.

Shortly after the start of the concert, the launch of a rocket set fire to a penumbra located on the roof of the venue and generated toxic smoke which was inhaled by the thousands of young people who were inside and who were unable to get out in time , as the emergency exits of the premises were closed with padlocks.

In 2009, the court convicted Chabán, gang manager Diego Argañaraz, deputy commissioner Carlos Díaz, bowling alley general coordinator Raúl Villarreal, and officers Fabiana Fiszbin and Ana María Fernández.

In 2011, Casación reduced the qualification of arson to negligent fire – and attributed the same figure to the members of Callejeros -; and from failure to fulfill the duties of a public official.

On October 27, 2022, Congress passed National Law 27.695 of expropriation of the premises of Cromañón for the creation of a place of memory.