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4 clusters · 15 sources · 34 days · First seen · Last updated

Valencia DANA flood judicial investigation

Overview

Judicial proceedings in Catarroja regarding the management of the October 2024 DANA weather phenomenon in Valencia have resumed. The investigation is evaluating potential increases to the official death toll, with authorities previously considering whether to raise the count from 232 to 240 based on pending forensic determinations. During the inquiry, the magistrate rejected defense requests to compel the disclosure of personal communications from the Government Delegate in the Valencian Community. The court has requested a six-month extension to continue gathering testimonies from regional officials and forest firefighters. The official death toll has since been updated to 233 following a judicial ruling that recognized a woman from Catarroja as a victim. The magistrate established a ‘relación de causalidad’ (causal relationship) between a fall caused by water rushing into her home during the flood and her subsequent death from an intracranial hemorrhage at Hospital La Fe. Testimonies from the investigation have highlighted failures in emergency communication; the mayor of Pedralba testified that the Es-Alert system failed to reach residents, necessitating door-to-door warnings. Additionally, legal challenges regarding worker safety have emerged, as the family of Luis Ángel Sáiz, who died on the A-3 highway, seeks to reopen a case against his employer following findings of negligence regarding weather alerts. Victim associations continue to hold demonstrations, including in Alicante, calling for the removal of the immunity of the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón. Lead investigator Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra has reported ‘clear indications’ that several deaths, particularly in the La Torre neighborhood, could have been avoided due to negligence in emergency management and failures in issuing warnings. The inquiry is examining the actions of former Interior Minister Salomé Pradas and her deputy, Emilio Argüeso, regarding their adherence to civil protection regulations. Political tensions have recently escalated within the Valencia Provincial Council.

Entities

Valencia · Emilio Argüeso · Salomé Pradas · Vicent Mompó · Pilar Bernabé

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Valencia political tension over 2024 DANA disaster management

    The Valencia Provincial Council saw heated debates and a walkout by PSPV members over the political management of the 2024 DANA floods and subsequent judicial investigations.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Valencia flood judge alleges avoidable deaths and judicial pressure

    Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra reports that deaths during the Valencia DANA floods may have been avoidable due to negligence and has also denounced illegal recordings and pressure within her court.

  3. [INTERNATIONAL] 10 sources
    Valencia DANA death toll rises to 233 following judicial ruling

    The official death toll from the Valencia DANA floods has risen to 233 after a judge recognized a woman who died from injuries sustained during the flooding in Catarroja.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Catarroja judge resumes DANA flood investigation

    The Catarroja judge investigating the DANA floods has resumed testimonies and is considering raising the death toll to 240 while refusing to compel personal phone records from government officials.

Sources

brasilemfolhas.com.br · castellondiario.com · diarilaveu.cat · diariodealicante.net · ecijadigital.es · lacronicadebadajoz.elperiodicoextremadura.com · laopinioncoruna.es · levante-emv.com · moncloa.com · noticiasdeNavarra.com · ocio.diarioinformacion.com · ocio.farodevigo.es · theobjective.com · valencia.esperanto.es · valenciaplaza.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history