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Valencia Flood Victims Tell Congress It Was a Political, Not Natural, Disaster

Witnesses detail collapsed services, pressing for consequences without special protections.

Overview

  • Spain’s congressional inquiry continued with emotional testimony from survivors, including Elisabeth González Peralta and former local police officer Verónica Vicent Baquero.
  • Testimonies described 112 lines overwhelmed, no emergency protocol, a stationary local police car near the V30, and rescue boats that were promised but never arrived.
  • Baquero questioned why the 2014 Valencia earthquake drill playbook—escalating to Level 3 and placing the UME in command—was not used, criticizing Generalitat management.
  • Witnesses cited long-delayed mitigation, singling out the Barranco del Poyo project, and noted that no new contracting for such works has begun a year after the floods.
  • Victims urged legislative and operational reforms, including better coordination and accountability without aforamientos, as public pressure persisted with gestures like the Atlético banner and references to 515 early looting arrests.