The political landscape of the Valencian Community is currently witnessing a heated exchange of accusations and defenses following a tragic flooding event, known as the DANA, which resulted in the loss of 227 lives. At the heart of this controversy is a clash between the Generalitat Valenciana, led by President Carlos Mazón, and Pilar Bernabé, the government delegate. The vice president of the Generalitat, Susana Camarero (PP), is vehemently defending the government's handling of the crisis, accusing Bernabé of spreading «falsehoods» and orchestrating a campaign against Mazón and his administration. According to F. B. (2024), writing for El País, Camarero alleges that Bernabé's criticisms are aimed at «covering up the negligence of the Government» regarding the management of the Barranco del Poyo during the emergency.

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The Core of the Dispute: Communication and Responsibility

The central issue revolves around the flow of information—or the alleged lack thereof—regarding the Barranco del Poyo. Camarero insists that neither the Confederación Hidrográfica del Júcar (CHJ) nor Bernabé communicated the critical situation of the ravine to the Centro de Coordinación de Emergencias de la Generalitat (Cecopi), which was managing the emergency response. She argues that Bernabé has been duplicitous, presenting one version of events under oath and another to the media. «The government delegate has two faces,» Camarero stated, according to El País, «the face in front of the judge where she tells the truth and the face she puts in front of the media, where she manipulates and distorts because the responsibility for surveillance, information, and issuing warnings lies with the Confederación Hidrográfica del Júcar» (F. B., 2024).

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Bernabé's Defense and the Timeline of Events

Bernabé, soon to be proclaimed secretary-general of the PSPV-PSOE, maintains that the CHJ issued a warning at 12:20 PM on October 29 regarding the water level in the Barranco del Poyo, prompting the Generalitat to activate a level 0 hydrological alert. This, she argues, imposed obligations on the Generalitat to monitor the waterways, a responsibility she claims was neglected. She further pointed out that the forest firefighters dispatched to the area were later withdrawn at 3:00 PM.

Unanswered Questions: The Withdrawal of Firefighters

Camarero has notably avoided addressing the question of why the firefighters were withdrawn, dismissing it as an attempt to «confuse» the issue. She insists that the responsibility for monitoring the ravines lies with the CHJ, citing Article 4 of the Special Flood Plan. However, she neglects to mention other sections of the plan that allow for the Generalitat's fire service to monitor basins lacking information or requiring more intensive surveillance.

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Legal and Political Repercussions

The legal ramifications of the DANA are also unfolding. Eduardo de Urbano, representing Salomé Pradas, the former Minister of Justice and Interior, asserts that Pradas was the one who requested the intervention of the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) during the floods. De Urbano also highlights that the CHJ never issued a prior warning about the overflowing of the Barranco del Poyo and that calls to 112 did not reach Cecopi.

  • The CGT union has prepared a report arguing that the Generalitat had the legal obligation and means to monitor the waterways and warn the population.
  • The report also indicates that the Generalitat was aware of the ES-Alert system for population warnings since at least 2023.
  • Extracts from 112 emergency calls show that there were overflows in the headwaters of the Rambla del Poyo in Buñol as early as 4:30 PM.

According to the union's findings, the Generalitat was well-equipped to handle the situation, but failed to act effectively, raising serious questions about its preparedness and response.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation into the DANA continues, the political fallout is intensifying. With Bernabé poised to take on a more prominent role in the PSPV-PSOE, the accusations and counter-accusations are likely to escalate. The families of the victims, along with the wider public, are demanding answers and accountability. El País will be continuing to monitor this developing story, providing updates as new information emerges (F. B., 2024).