Tensions remain high in the Valencian Community as the investigation into the aftermath of the devastating DANA that struck the region last autumn continues. The court proceedings, launched in the wake of a tragedy that claimed 229 lives, have revealed unexpected details about how authorities responded to the looming threat.
Nuría Ruiz Tobarra, a judge from Catarroja, continues to gather testimonies and documents that cast doubt on the official account of events. Each new development in the investigation triggers intense emotions in Valencia’s corridors of power. In the 11 months since the disaster, the regional government has attempted to explain the delayed public warnings by citing a lack of timely data from national meteorological and hydrological services. However, recent interrogations and materials point to internal problems within the coordination of emergency services.
Particular attention was drawn to the speech by Miguel Polo, head of the Confederation of the Júcar River Hydrographic Basins (CHJ). He described the situation at the Cecopi coordination center as complete chaos, where no one understood what decisions to make. According to him, former Justice and Interior Advisor Salome Pradas did not know how to act, even asking her subordinates why a state of emergency was being declared. Polo also reported that he personally requested a warning be sent to residents as early as 18:00, two hours before the alert actually reached people’s phones. By that time, many were already trapped in basements and garages, where they ultimately lost their lives.
Shortly after the tragedy, it was revealed that the president of the autonomous community, Carlos Mazón, arrived at the crisis management center only late in the evening, after a lengthy lunch in a restaurant. By that time, the situation in the affected towns was already out of control. The emergency alert reached mobile phones only at 20:11, when the consequences were already irreversible.
New evidence also emerged during the investigation. Video footage from Cecopi, previously unpublished, showed that Pradas personally participated in the decision to send out the alert message, although she had previously denied her involvement. The judge insisted this footage be included in the case materials, despite resistance from the regional broadcaster À Punt, which cited professional secrecy.
Relatives of the victims and injured express disappointment with the actions of the authorities and the media. In their view, the refusal to voluntarily provide video footage has negated the efforts of journalists who risked their safety to report on the tragedy. At the same time, people close to Pradas claim she could not have foreseen the scale of the disaster and learned about the river’s overflow too late.
The judicial investigation is gaining momentum. The question of President Mazón’s personal responsibility remains unresolved, as his status requires a separate procedure for prosecution. Meanwhile, there is tense anticipation within the walls of the Valencia government palace as new court decisions could have serious political consequences.
