A high-profile investigation into the catastrophic flood in Valencia has once again drawn attention to the authorities’ actions in a critical moment. The question of why the mass Es Alert warning was not sent on time has become key for many residents of the region. The lives of hundreds depended on that decision, and now the court is trying to determine who was responsible for the delay and why the warning was withheld.
During the hearings, it was revealed that Salomé Pradas, the former Minister of Justice and Internal Policy of the Generalitat Valenciana, had serious doubts about the legality of sending an emergency alert. According to Raúl Quílez, director of the regional emergency service, this hesitation was linked to uncertainties caused by restrictions implemented during the pandemic and subsequent court rulings. As a result, when the flood was already raging and water levels were rising rapidly, the decision to issue the alert came too late.
The judge paid particular attention to the fact that the alert could have been sent during the day, not in the evening when the consequences of the disaster had already become irreversible. In the municipalities of Paiporta and Catarroja, the disaster claimed dozens of lives, and many experts are convinced that a timely warning could have prevented so many casualties. Recalling the tragedy, Quiles noted that discussions about the wording and content of the message dragged on, and Pradas herself repeatedly left the room for phone consultations, referring to talks with representatives from the Ministry of Environment.
Internal disagreements
During the court hearing it emerged that there was no consensus in the emergency coordination center (Cecopi) on how to proceed. While there was no open conflict, the discussion centered on whether to order an evacuation or simply issue a warning. Quiles admitted he did not know who ultimately made the final decision or how the message was formulated. As a result, by the time the Es Alert was finally sent, many residents were already in danger zones.
The judge repeatedly criticized the contents of the alert, pointing out that it lacked clear instructions, such as the need to move to upper floors. More than half of the victims were found in basements and on ground floors—circumstances that, according to investigators, could have been avoided with better information.
Responsibility for discussing and agreeing on the Es Alert text lay with Deputy Director for Emergencies Jorge Suárez and the head of the provincial fire service, José Miguel Basset. Basset became notorious after admitting that his team left the danger zone early to have lunch, sparking public outrage.
Consequences of the decisions
Recalling the events, Quiles emphasized that the alert was linked to the threat of the Forata dam breaking in Yátova, which could have resulted in thousands of casualties. The situation resembled the disaster in the municipality of Tous in 1982, when the flood left tens of thousands of families homeless. However, despite the evident threat, the moment was lost.
Internal disagreements and the lack of clear coordination among services became one of the causes of the tragedy. The question of who should have taken responsibility for timely informing the public remains unresolved. The court continues to investigate the details and society is demanding answers.
Recalling other high-profile cases involving ineffective government response in crisis situations, it’s worth noting that such disagreements and delays are not uncommon. For example, a recent conflict between Spanish and Italian leadership on the eve of the EU summit also stirred heated debate, as Madrid’s exclusion from key negotiations called into question the effectiveness of decision-making at the highest level.
Context and analogies
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced situations where delays or uncertainty from the authorities have led to serious consequences for the population. Floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters often expose weaknesses in the alert and coordination systems. Memories of the tragedies in Murcia and Catalonia highlight that timely information and clear instructions save lives. Public dissatisfaction grows when it becomes clear that bureaucratic hurdles or internal disputes hinder swift action. The question of how to improve emergency response remains one of the most pressing issues for Spanish society.
