Spanish officials have released the first official figure for those still missing after the catastrophic DANA storm in Valencia: 89 people. This number represents only those cases reported by families who have provided personal information and biological samples to aid in identification. However, this tally may not reflect all missing persons, as some cases may still be unreported.
The death toll from the disaster stands at 215, with 211 deaths in Valencia, three in Castilla-La Mancha, and one in Andalucia. While the number of active missing cases stands at 89, this figure may decrease significantly in the coming days. Authorities are still working to identify 62 bodies at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Valencia. This may overlap with some of the missing persons reported.
Verification of information
The data was published on Tuesday night by the High Court of Justice in Valencia, with details last updated at 8.00 pm. The Spanish Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, has been reassuring the public on social media that the official death count is unlikely to rise significantly.
Forensic experts at the Valencia Institute of Legal Medicine have conducted 95 autopsies on bodies received since the tragedy. Officials are hopeful that their identification efforts will bring answers to grieving families, providing clarity in the days ahead.
Rumours and false reports complicate response efforts
In the absence of detailed official data until now, misinformation has spread widely on social media, fueling public anxiety. One prominent example involved false reports that over 700 bodies were found in the Bonaire shopping centre car park in Aldaia. Authorities have since inspected 99% of the site and confirmed no fatalities.
This misinformation led to baseless allegations from Vox parliamentary group secretary José María Figaredo. They accused the government of concealing the actual death toll without evidence. Such rumours, say disaster management experts, can escalate public distress and complicate the relief and recovery process.
The challenge of reporting accurate numbers
Disaster management experts highlight that accurate counts of missing persons and fatalities are crucial for recovery and support operations. However, given the fluid nature of disaster response, these figures are often difficult to confirm immediately. To alleviate public concern and foster transparency, officials stress the importance of measured and accurate information with exact numbers. Furthermore, when precision is impossible with reasonably estimated ranges.
Pressure has mounted on officials to provide a missing persons count. This was especially the case after Valencian president Carlos Mazón initially noted that emergency services had received “thousands of calls.” This figure did not equate to actual missing cases. It included duplicated reports and cases where people were later located. In response to these concerns, officials have prioritised verifying reports to prevent misinformation.