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A survivor from the Valencia floods, who was grieving over the storm’s death toll of 229 people, confronted Carlos Mazon in real time on TV.
Unnamed survivors accused the PP politician and his party of neglecting victims in the wake of Spain’s worst modern storm.
“Not advising people was a shame,” he said. His voice trembled with anger.
It was a miracle that my daughter did not die. You vanished at that exact moment. You were nowhere to be found when you needed. You will live with the consequences of your mistake for the rest if your life.
READ MORE Valencia president Carlos Mazon admits ‘things should have worked better’ in handling of deadly October 29 floods that killed 229
“You will have to accept it one day.” But you’re a politician – you’re never going to tell the truth.”
Mazon, who was visibly uncomfortable, defended himself by insisting that his government had acted based on the information they had. He replied, “It is impossible to warn the public when you do not have data.”
He was cut off by the man. “That’s false. There was already a warning the day before. Admit it – you handled it wrong.
“I don’t care, but carry that in your heart forever – all the suffering people went through. They lost parents, children… Why do you think I’m standing here facing you?”
READ MORE A state memorial service is held today in Valencia, exactly one year after the floods of October 29, 2009.
Mazon offered to talk to the man in private, away from cameras, but dismissed him. “No need. “You’ve heard everything I said.”
The exchange was made on the one-year anniversary of the catastrophe. A memorial ceremony took place at the Museum of Sciences, located in the City of Arts and Sciences complex of Valencia.
Mazon had been asked to leave by a number of families who feared that his attendance would turn the funeral into a spectacle.
The crowd shouted, “murderer!” during the live broadcast of the event. As Mazon entered the hall, the crowd chanted “murderer!” Mazon, as he entered.
One woman said: “What am I going to do without my sister?” Another relative cried.
Virginia Ortiz Riquelme spoke out after losing a relative to Letur.
“It’s the person who knows they are committing a crime by neglecting their duty who does it,” she said.
Critics have accused Mazon, for many years, of trying rewrite history. They cite reports that he had been dining in a restaurant known as El Ventorro at the time when the storm hit.
Basque MP Julen Bollain said: “They shouted ‘murderer’ at Mazon for a reason. “While the floodwaters destroyed lives, he toasting in El Ventorro.”
DANA poured 400mm in 24 hours on parts of Valencia and Murcia. Rescue crews had to travel days before they could reach rural areas. Entire towns were submerged.
Civil Protection didn’t issue mobile phone warnings until well after 8pm. This was after the worst flooding had already hit the towns of southern Valencia.
When the alerts went out, dozens had already gone missing, and the local emergency services were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of distress calls.
Mazon did not make a public appearance until the evening of that day, after rescue teams had already been working all night to reach villages cut off.
Critics claimed that his absence during the first critical hours of the disaster demonstrated a lack in leadership and coordination between Civil Protection and the Regional Government.
Investigative reports revealed that the flood warnings were ignored, the emergency plans outdated, and that university studies on urban flooding risks were not taken into consideration.
The Olive Press has more Valencia News. Click here to read it.
