A Valencia judge denies a confrontation between officials over a critical call during the 2024 Torrent flood. The court highlights strong evidence contradicting claims about the emergency response.
The investigation into the catastrophic October 2024 dana in Valencia, which claimed 230 lives, has taken a new turn as the judge overseeing the case in Catarroja dismissed a request for a face-to-face confrontation between Emilio Argüeso, former regional emergency secretary, and Amparo Folgado, the mayor of Torrent. The decision comes amid mounting scrutiny over the actions and communications of local authorities during the deadly flooding.
Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra made clear in her ruling that the case file contains “abundantísima” (overwhelming) evidence that directly contradicts the account given by Vicente Mompó, president of the Diputación de Valencia. Mompó had asserted that the Cecopi emergency coordination center discussed only the risks posed by the Forata dam during the crisis. However, the judge’s statement points to a broader awareness and exchange of information among officials about the dangers in other areas, particularly the barranco del Poyo, the ravine that unleashed the disaster.
The controversy intensified after it emerged that Mompó, a member of the Partido Popular, could not recall a crucial phone call from Amparo Fort, the mayor of Chiva, who alerted him at 17:00 on October 29, 2024, to the escalating threat at the barranco del Poyo. Mompó also stated he was unaware that the national meteorological agency, Aemet, had issued a red alert—the highest level—early that day. This lack of recollection has raised questions about the flow of information and the effectiveness of the emergency response.
Further complicating the timeline, Amparo Folgado testified that she contacted Mompó after 18:00 on the day of the flood to warn him that the barranco de l’Horteta, a tributary of the Poyo, was in an extraordinary and overflowing state. Despite the significance of this call, Mompó has never acknowledged it in any of his statements to the court, in parliament, or in public appearances. The call was also missing from the list of communications he submitted to the judge.
The defense for Argüeso sought the confrontation with Folgado, arguing that her statements were either false or at least inaccurate compared to their client’s version. However, the judge ruled that such a measure is exceptional and not warranted in this case, noting that Argüeso did not mention any conversation with Folgado in his own testimony on April 11, 2025. Without a direct contradiction on record, the court found no basis for a confrontation.
Folgado, in her witness statement, maintained that she had informed Argüeso by phone on October 29 that the barranco de l’Horteta had overflowed. This detail adds to the complex web of communications that investigators are trying to untangle as they determine what authorities knew and when during the unfolding disaster.
The judicial probe has now lasted 20 months, with the focus shifting to whether officials had sufficient warning about the risks in the Poyo ravine and whether those warnings were properly communicated and acted upon. The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile investigations into public officials’ conduct, such as the recent scrutiny of the Guardia Civil and SEPI, which also raised questions about accountability and transparency in Spain’s institutions. For example, a recent analysis of political pressure on judicial cases highlights how these events are testing standards for public office.
Spain’s dana events—sudden, intense rainstorms—have historically posed severe risks, especially in the Valencia region, where rapid flooding can overwhelm infrastructure and emergency services. The 2024 disaster stands as one of the deadliest in recent memory, prompting calls for improved coordination and clearer protocols among local and regional authorities. The ongoing court proceedings are expected to shape future emergency management policies and may influence how similar cases are handled across the country.
