Overview
- Authorities counted over 50,000 people at Saturday’s march in central Valencia to honor the 229 victims of the October 2024 deluge, Spain’s deadliest such disaster in decades.
- Protesters directed blame at regional president Carlos Mazón, with chants for his resignation and a recent El País poll showing 71% of Valencians think he should step down.
- Spanish media are scrutinizing Mazón’s actions on October 29, 2024, reporting he spent much of the afternoon dining with a journalist as heavy rains hit.
- Survivors accuse officials of late warnings and poor evacuation as Spain’s decentralized system places disaster management primarily with regional authorities.
- State funerals are scheduled in Valencia on October 29 with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI expected to attend, and recovery work continues with a victim’s remains recently found far from the disappearance site.