On October 29, a powerful storm broke out in the Valencian Community, leading to tragic consequences. That day, government offices were filled with tension as reports poured in one after another. By noon, it was clear that the situation was spiraling out of control and the consequences could be severe.
Salomé Pradas, who was serving as the emergency response adviser, maintained constant contact with then-president Carlos Mazón and his closest aides. All information about the unfolding events was directed to the Presidium Department, where key decisions were made. Nevertheless, the authorities’ official statements in the following months often contradicted the actual chronology of events.
Timeline of Events
Throughout the day on October 29, communications among officials grew increasingly urgent. By 4:28 p.m., news arrived of the first fatality in the city of Utiel. This caused a strong reaction among the region’s leadership, but the tragedy was not immediately announced publicly. Within the government, possible responses were debated, including restricting movement, but ultimately, the decision was made to call for calm and reject strict measures.
In the correspondence between Mazón’s chief of staff and Salomé Pradas, there were calls to avoid panic. “Salo, no restrictions, please. Stay calm,” was one of the key messages that shaped the authorities’ subsequent strategy. Despite alarming reports coming in, the regional leadership decided not to introduce additional restrictions, hoping the situation would stabilize.
Authorities’ Response
Internal messages show that officials were aware of the scale of the disaster long before the public found out. Authorities tightly controlled the flow of information, aiming to prevent panic among the population. Public statements emphasized calm and confidence in the emergency services’ actions.
In the hours that followed, different scenarios were discussed. However, despite the gravity of the situation, the regional leadership was slow to implement strict measures. Ultimately, they opted for minimal intervention, a decision that sparked mixed reactions among residents and experts.
Aftermath of the Tragedy
The death of a person in Utiel became one of the most tragic episodes of that day. The regional authorities faced criticism for their slow response and lack of transparency in informing the public. The released correspondence between officials only fueled the debate on how effectively actions were coordinated during the emergency.
In the following months, government officials repeatedly provided different accounts of the events, further fueling distrust among the region’s residents. The question of why information about the victims and the scale of the disaster was not disclosed immediately remains unanswered to this day.
If you weren’t aware, Carlos Mazón is the former president of the Valencian Community, holding office until 2024. Salomé Pradas is a well-known politician who oversaw civil protection and emergency response. Both politicians have repeatedly been the subject of intense debate regarding crisis management in the region. Their actions on October 29, 2024, continue to spark controversy among experts and residents of Valencia.
