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Valencian Judiciary Reflects on Emergency Response to Deadly 2024 Flash Flood

Six months after the disaster, Judge Lucía Mayordomo and her team share insights into their improvised courthouse and victim management efforts in a newly released video.

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Overview

  • The October 29, 2024 flash flood in Valencia claimed 227 lives, making it one of Spain's deadliest natural disasters.
  • Judge Lucía Mayordomo set up an emergency courthouse at a Texaco gas station in Paiporta, the only location with power, to oversee legal procedures and assist victims.
  • The team spent the first 12 hours documenting fatalities, coordinating with forensic and medical personnel, and treating injured civilians and police officers on-site.
  • A comprehensive database of victims was created to streamline identification, case management, and communication with families, earning praise for its efficiency and humanity.
  • The TSJCV and CGPJ released a commemorative video on April 30, 2025, highlighting the judiciary's improvisation, inter-agency collaboration, and calls for improved resources for future emergencies.