Valencia's leader, Carlos Mazón, has publicly acknowledged that errors were made during the catastrophic flooding that hit the region on October 29, resulting in the loss of over 220 lives. Speaking in front of the regional parliament, Mazón pointed blame at two government agencies for failing to provide adequate warnings to affected residents. Most fatalities occurred in his region, drawing particular ire from the public, along with calls for his resignation.
During his first appearance since the floods, Mazón defended his administration's response, insisting that the notification system had not been previously utilized, leading to delayed alerts. Critics highlighted his decision to prioritize a lunch meeting with a journalist over managing the crisis, leading to protests where crowds chanted demands for his removal.
Among the chaos, he directed criticism towards the Aemet weather agency, which issued a red alert signifying “extreme danger” on the day of the disaster. Despite acknowledging some mismanagement, Mazón maintained that among the unprecedented urgency of the situation, his government acted as best as they could with limited resources and information.
In the aftermath, towns like Paiporta, heavily impacted by the floods, are grappling with muck and sewage damage while residents strive to reclaim their lives. Efforts to clear debris have been tedious, and locals have voiced frustration over the government's inadequate response. “If it weren’t for the volunteers, we would have died of hunger,” one resident lamented, highlighting the reliance on community support in the wake of official shortcomings.
As Valencia continues to recover from this historic crisis, the pressure on authorities to ensure better preparedness for future catastrophes is mounting.
