Catalonia Court Confirms 230th Victim of Valencia DANA Tragedy. The 230th DANA victim has been officially confirmed in Valencia. The court continues to investigate the circumstances of the fatalities. Investigators are requesting new information from a former official.
In Catalonia (Catarroja, Valencia), Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra has officially declared the 230th victim who died following the devastating flood that struck the region on October 29, 2024. The victim was a 74-year-old man who spent the night of the disaster on the ground floor of his home. These areas turned out to be the most dangerous: most of the fatalities occurred in such spaces.
The elderly man was unable to escape from the flooded room. After experiencing severe stress and hypothermia, he developed serious complications. Doctors diagnosed him with pulmonary artery thrombosis, which ultimately caused his death on November 3 at La Fe Hospital in Valencia. A forensic examination confirmed the link between the tragedy and his passing.
The investigation is ongoing
The judge recalled that the previous, 229th victim, was a woman eight months pregnant. According to the coroner's report, the pregnancy was viable: the fetus weighed over 500 grams and had reached more than 24 weeks. This fact was also considered when recognizing her death as a result of the disaster.
Currently, investigators are analyzing nine more cases to determine whether they are linked to the consequences of the flood. Judicial authorities are continuing to clarify the list of victims so that all those killed are officially recognized and recorded.
Questions for the former official
As part of the investigation, the judge contacted former Justice and Home Affairs adviser Salomé Pradas, who held the position at the time of the tragedy. She was asked to provide WhatsApp correspondence she had with other officials on the day of the disaster. These messages could shed light on the authorities’ actions during the critical moment and help determine whether any mistakes were made in organizing the rescue operations.
The investigation is paying particular attention to communication among officials during the height of the natural disaster. The speed and coordination of those responsible were crucial to saving lives. The court aims to determine whether all possible measures were taken to prevent the tragedy and ensure the timely evacuation of residents.
The list of victims is growing
The tragedy that occurred at the end of October became one of the most severe in terms of casualties in the region in recent years. Most of the victims were in vulnerable situations due to their living arrangements—many were on ground floors that quickly flooded. Elderly people and pregnant women were particularly defenseless in the face of the disaster.
Judicial authorities continue their efforts to establish all the circumstances surrounding the deaths. An analysis of nine more cases is expected to be completed soon, which could add to the grim list of DANA victims. The investigation is also looking into whether any protocols were violated or errors were made by those responsible.
