Maribel Vilaplana, a well-known journalist, found herself in the spotlight after being urgently hospitalized. The reason was a sudden anxiety attack triggered by work-related events on the day of the major flood in Valencia. That day, she spent several hours with Carlos Mazón, the president of the Valencian Community government, discussing the situation and taking part in official meetings.
Vilaplana’s condition worsened in the evening, and she required medical attention. Doctors diagnosed her with an acute anxiety attack and strongly recommended complete rest. She returned home later that night; however, her involvement in the court proceedings regarding the authorities’ actions during the disaster remains unresolved.
The journalist was scheduled to testify as a witness in the court of Catarroja. Her statements are considered crucial for clarifying the decision-making process during the critical moment on October 29, 2024, when Valencia faced devastating consequences from the disaster. Investigators are interested in how the discussions unfolded that day and what role each participant played.
On the day of the tragedy, Vilaplana was next to the regional president when her phone received an emergency alert about the situation in Utiel. Nevertheless, according to those close to her, she did not relay this information to the president. This detail could prove key to understanding how the events developed and why certain decisions were made.
Currently, her ability to participate in the trial depends on her health condition. If Vilaplana is unable to appear in court, it could affect the course of the investigation and the timeline of the case. At the same time, her experience and knowledge could shed light on many unclear aspects of the authorities’ actions on the day of the tragedy.
