A court in Catarroja has officially raised the death toll from the October 2024 dana to 231. The latest victim, an elderly man from Benetússer, died of a heart attack during the storm. The case now includes possible charges of negligent homicide.
The official death toll from the catastrophic dana that struck Valencia on October 29, 2024, has risen to 231, following a new judicial decision. Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, leading the investigation in Catarroja, included the death of an elderly man from Benetússer who suffered a fatal heart attack during the night of the disaster. This update, communicated in a court order on Monday, reflects the ongoing scrutiny of the tragedy’s full impact.
The latest addition to the list of victims comes after the Public Prosecutor’s Office recommended that the man’s death be considered part of the case. Although forensic analysis could not definitively link the heart attack to the storm, it did identify the acute stress of the event as a significant contributing factor. The judge noted that the extreme circumstances of the dana, combined with the victim’s pre-existing health condition, led to his death at home as the flooding unfolded outside.
This decision reverses an earlier move to close the investigation into this particular fatality. The case now consolidates all related deaths under a single probe, which is examining potential charges of negligent homicide and injury. Since the inquiry began, more than 500 witnesses have testified over 19 months, highlighting the scale and complexity of the judicial process.
Among those under investigation are Salomé Pradas, former regional minister for Justice and Interior, and Emilio Argüeso, who served as director general of Emergencies during the disaster. The judge also sought to extend the investigation to former president Carlos Mazón, but the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (Tsjcv) declined, citing his parliamentary immunity. Mazón remains involved in the proceedings through his legal counsel, Ignacio Gally.
The October 2024 dana was one of the deadliest weather events in recent Spanish history, with widespread flooding and significant loss of life across the Valencia region. The judicial investigation has focused on the actions and preparedness of regional authorities, as well as the adequacy of emergency response measures. The inclusion of deaths indirectly linked to the disaster, such as those caused by stress-induced medical events, reflects a broader approach to accountability in the aftermath of natural catastrophes.
Spain has faced several major disasters in recent years, prompting debates over emergency planning and official responsibility. In a related context, the challenges of managing mass casualty events were also evident during the Los Gallardos wildfire in Almería, where evacuation errors led to multiple fatalities among foreign residents. For more on how authorities have responded to such crises, see this report on the deadly wildfire evacuation in Almería.
Legal experts note that Spanish courts increasingly consider the broader consequences of disasters, including indirect fatalities, when assessing official liability. The outcome of the Catarroja investigation may set important precedents for future cases involving extreme weather and public safety. As the region continues to recover, the findings of this probe are likely to influence both policy and public expectations regarding disaster management in Spain.
