Breaking: Video Evidence Implicates Former Valencian Minister in Flood Response Delay
Valencia, Spain – A newly released video is sending shockwaves through Spain, potentially reshaping the narrative surrounding the deadly floods that ravaged the Valencia region in October. The footage, obtained by lawyer Manolo Mata and now incorporated into the judicial case concerning the disaster, appears to show then-Minister of Justice and Interior, Salome Pradas, being explicitly informed of the escalating risks in the Magro River and Rambla del Poyo areas – hours before the worst of the flooding and subsequent loss of life.
Critical Warning Ignored?
The video, recorded at the Emergency Coordination Center (CCE) in L’Eliana on October 29th, depicts Pradas taking notes as emergency officials detailed the impending dangers. Specifically, the recording shows her handwriting notes referencing “Río Magro,” “Rambla Pollo” (a misspelling of Poyo), “Hydrological Alert,” “Barrancos,” and a request for “Forest Firefighters” at 12:32 p.m. This timeline is crucial, as it predates the peak of the flooding and the highest number of reported fatalities. For weeks, the Valencian administration maintained that responsibility for monitoring ravines rested with the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation. This video directly challenges that assertion, suggesting the Consell’s emergency services were aware of the need to proactively address the situation.
Technician’s Urgent Plea
Further footage, recorded at 1:56 p.m., reveals technicians urgently conveying the severity of the rainfall and its impact on the vulnerable ravines to Pradas. “It is not the rain itself, but what the ravine carries. That is what is worrying us,” one official stated, specifically referencing areas like Quart de Poblet and Aldaia, all downstream from Buñol and directly impacted by the Poyo ravine. This conversation occurred two hours after a hydrological alert was initially decreed, following information received from the CHJ.
The Hidden Video Battery & A Pattern of Disclosure
The emergence of this video is particularly significant because it was part of a larger collection of recordings made by an external company for the emergency department, which had been withheld from the investigating judge until recently. This discovery follows a pattern of initially denying the existence of key meeting recordings, only to later acknowledge a substantial amount of audiovisual documentation from that critical day. The unfolding revelations are raising serious questions about transparency and the initial response to the crisis.
Pradas’ Defense: A Matter of Communication, Not Neglect?
Sources close to Salome Pradas are attempting to contextualize the video, stating it simply corroborates her previous testimony to the judge. They emphasize that the hydrological alerts for both the Poyo ravine (activated at 12:20 p.m.) and the Magro River (activated at 11:45 a.m.) were issued following notifications from the CHJ. These sources claim the priority was to immediately communicate the alerts to affected municipalities, adhering to established emergency protocols. They also point out that subsequent reports from the SAIH indicated a *decreasing* flow in the Poyo ravine, leading to a deactivation of the alert later in the day.
Understanding Hydrological Alerts & Flood Risk Management
Hydrological alerts are a critical component of flood risk management, designed to provide early warning and allow for preventative measures. These alerts are typically triggered when water levels in rivers or ravines exceed pre-defined thresholds. However, the effectiveness of these alerts hinges on swift and decisive action – including evacuation orders, resource mobilization, and public awareness campaigns. The question now is whether the response was sufficiently rapid and comprehensive, given the information available to the Valencian administration at the time. The difference between a warning and a proactive response can be the difference between property damage and tragic loss of life.
The Long Road to Accountability
The release of this video is a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation. It adds significant weight to the claims of inadequate preparation and a delayed response. As the judicial process unfolds, further scrutiny will undoubtedly be placed on the actions – and inactions – of key officials. The families of the victims deserve answers, and this new evidence brings those answers, and the possibility of accountability, one step closer. Archyde.com will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of this developing story, offering breaking updates and in-depth analysis as the investigation progresses.
