Saturday's severe storm in Roda de Berà (Tarragona) left two women, a mother and her 18-year-old daughter, in critical condition in hospital after a wall from a nearby house collapsed on them. They had been resting after working at the local night market. The incident drew attention for its tragic outcome and the confusion caused by an erroneous statement from the local council.
On Tuesday, the Ayuntamiento of Roda de Berà mistakenly announced on social media that the two women had been disconnected from life support. The Department of Health quickly denied the report, confirming that both victims continued to receive intensive medical care. Mayor Pere Virgili clarified that the women belong to a family of market vendors who had just finished packing up their stall when the wall gave way in the heavy rain.
The storm struck several municipalities along the Costa Dorada, causing impressive property damage and injuring 11 people, including the two women now in critical condition. The worst-hit areas included Torredembarra, El Vendrell and its coastal district of Coma-ruga, Roda de Berà, Creixell and Altafulla. The regional government did not issue an Es-Alert, saying the meteorological alert level did not warrant one. Local mayors, including those from Roda de Berà and El Vendrell, have since called for structural measures to stop the railway line from blocking water flow during heavy rains. They stopped short of criticizing the absence of an alert, acknowledging how difficult it is to predict a storm's intensity.
The Generalitat has defended its response, saying decisions were made collectively and based on technical criteria. Opposition parties in the Catalan Parliament have demanded that Interior Minister Nuria Parlon explain why no public warnings were issued. The debate over emergency communication echoes controversies surrounding other disaster responses, such as the recent earthquake crisis in Colombia, where delays and miscommunication complicated rescue efforts.
Spain's emergency alert system, Es-Alert, is designed to notify residents of imminent threats via mobile phones, but its use is strictly regulated and depends on official risk assessments. The events in Tarragona have renewed discussion about the adequacy of current protocols and the need for improved infrastructure in flood-prone areas. The two women remain under close observation, and the community awaits further updates on their condition.
