Anger, grief pour out as Spain marks floods anniversary with state funeral
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Relatives of victims of the floods in Valencia attend the state funeral marking a year of the disaster in Valencia, Spain on Oct 29.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MADRID - Hundreds of relatives of the victims of deadly floods in Spain’s Valencia region flocked to a state funeral presided over by King Felipe on Oct 31, a year after the tragedy
Some were in solemn silence while others seethed with anger, with many arriving at the futuristic venue known as the City of Arts and Sciences wearing black T-shirts reading, in Valencian: “Their deaths were avoidable”.
“We have many mixed emotions,” Ms Carmina, a relative of a victim of the floods told Reuters.
“We have been looking forward to this ceremony for a long time. It was a collective death and a collective funeral was necessary. The day has come and here we are to pay tribute to our people.”
A few of those attending chanted insults against regional leader Carlos Mazon, who is under investigation for his role in the tragedy and attended the ceremony despite some relatives asking that he stay away.
On Oct 25, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Valencia, calling for his resignation.
Mr Mazon told reporters: “Today is not the day for confrontation. We must reflect on the helplessness felt by so many Valencians in the days that followed when we realised the magnitude of an unfathomable tragedy. We tried to do our best in unimaginable circumstances, but in many cases, it was not enough.”
Earlier in the day, protesters covered the pavement of a central square in Valencia with foil blankets, each representing a victim.
As night fell, two silent, torch-carrying marches merged in Benetusser, one of the suburbs of Valencia city most affected by the floods.
The Spanish authorities were still finding victims buried in the mud
Flash floods caused by torrential rains swept away bridges, cars and people and swamped homes and underground carparks on Oct 29, 2024. Some 229 people died in the Valencia region and a further eight in other parts of Spain.
Protesters and some relatives accuse the regional government of failing to warn citizens early enough during the emergency, sending a text message alert when many buildings were already under water.
A court is investigating Mr Mazon’s handling of the emergency and his whereabouts on the day, after a local journalist said she had a nearly four-hour lunch with him when he was meant to be at an emergency services meeting.
Mr Mazon has refused to provide details of the lunch or show the restaurant bill but says he was kept informed at all times over the phone.
The government on Oct 28 approved €5 billion (S$7.5 billion) of loan guarantees to help businesses and homes affected by the floods. It has so far handed out more than €8 billion to clear up devastated areas.
The heavy rains and subsequent flash floods were caused by a high-altitude isolated depression – referred to locally as a Dana – a highly destructive weather system created when cold and warm air meet to produce powerful rain clouds.
It typically happens after a hot summer, and scientists believe the phenomenon is occurring more frequently due to climate change. REUTERS
