A new political scandal is unfolding in Valencia, linked to the tragic events of October 2024. At that time, a powerful DANA (depression accompanied by heavy rains) struck the region, claiming the lives of 230 people. It has now emerged that two senior officials in Carlos Mazón’s government gained access to an audio recording that was later altered and used to spread false information about the scale of the disaster.
According to documents submitted to the Llíria court, the individuals involved are Ricardo García García, who served as Deputy Minister of Justice and the Interior, and Alberto Martín Moratilla, former Director of Emergency Services and Firefighting. They allegedly obtained a copy of a phone call between a 112 emergency operator and a meteorologist from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) on the morning of October 29, as the storm was intensifying.
Manipulating the facts
The original recording contained a warning about the seriousness of the impending threat after 3:00 p.m. However, a modified version later appeared in the public domain, allegedly downplaying the danger. This altered audio quickly spread through the media and social networks, shaping public perception of the meteorologists’ actions and the true impact of the disaster.
A key role in spreading the falsified information was played by the then head of the Valencia government, Carlos Mazón. He posted the doctored recording on his X page (formerly Twitter), even though its inaccuracy soon became known. Even after the story was debunked, Mazón did not remove the post, sparking a wave of criticism and suspicions of an attempt to manipulate public opinion.
Access without a trace
The investigation revealed that the system for storing such records at the 112 service was outdated and did not record who accessed them. Internal users with the necessary credentials could download files without leaving any digital trace. This significantly complicated the investigation and allowed wrongdoers to act virtually with impunity.
Nevertheless, during staff and technical specialist interrogations, it was established that it was García García and Martín Moratilla who copied the necessary file onto a USB drive between October 30 and November 2. The audio file was then passed on to third parties and ended up in the hands of the media.
Consequences for officials
Shortly after the investigation began, Alberto Martín Moratilla was dismissed from his position as director of rescue and firefighting services coordination. Previously, he had served as Head of Emergency Response before moving to work at the Alicante Firefighters Consortium. Moratilla was regarded as someone completely loyal to Mazón, with whom he had worked during Mazón’s leadership of the province of Alicante from 2019 to 2023.
Mazón himself resigned on November 3, when the scandal reached its peak. However, his actions still raise questions from the public and experts alike. Many believe that releasing the altered recording was a deliberate attempt to downplay the authorities’ responsibility for the consequences of the disaster.
Technical details
The record storage system at emergency service 112 proved to be vulnerable: access was restricted to a few individuals, but with the right credentials, any employee with internal network access could log in. Moreover, such logins were not recorded in logs, creating ideal conditions for information leaks.
The investigation revealed that between October 30 and November 2, two officials obtained the required recording. They copied it to an external device, after which the audio file was edited and passed on for further distribution. The inquiry is ongoing into who performed the editing and who ordered its publication.
Public response
The people of Valencia and all of Spain are anxiously following the unfolding events. The scandal involving manipulation of official information during one of the most devastating tragedies in recent years has sparked a wave of outrage. Many are calling for stricter control over access to official data and for those responsible to be held accountable.
The situation with the altered Aemet record has become a litmus test for the entire emergency management system in the region. Clearly, such incidents undermine public trust in the authorities and put citizens’ safety at risk. Questions remain, while answers are still slow to emerge.
