Lorraine Williamson
Nearly a year after the devastating DANA storm that tore through Valencia on 29 October 2024, killing 228 people, journalist Maribel Vilaplana has broken her silence. Her lunch that same day with the Valencian president, Carlos Mazón, has fuelled months of speculation, political finger-pointing, and personal attacks.
In a written statement released this week, Vilaplana insists that during their meeting, Mazón never expressed concern about the disaster unfolding across the region, even as he fielded phone calls throughout their conversation.
The lunch that sparked a storm
The lunch took place at El Ventorro, a restaurant near the regional government headquarters. Vilaplana stresses the encounter was professional: Mazón sounded her out for a senior role at the public broadcaster À Punt, an offer she claims she firmly rejected.
That suggestion ignited political controversy. By law, appointments at À Punt must follow a transparent public process, and the opposition accused Mazón of attempted nepotism and backroom dealing.
Where was the president?
The question of Mazón’s whereabouts during the critical hours of the storm remains at the centre of political debate. While parts of Valencia province were submerged, he only arrived at the Cecopi emergency coordination centre at 8.28 pm — 17 minutes after the official emergency alert was triggered.
Vilaplana also revised her own timeline, admitting she left the restaurant closer to 6.45 pm rather than six, by which time victims had already been reported. “I did not grasp the significance of that time gap,” she now concedes.
Intimidation and trauma
Since that day, Vilaplana says she has endured a relentless campaign of insults, threats, and misogynistic insinuations. She revealed she is receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and questioned whether she would have faced the same hostility had she been a man.
Wider criticism of crisis response
Her statement also highlighted broader failings in the government’s handling of the storm. Vice-president Susana Camarero left the Cecopi meeting to attend a prize-giving, a move that outraged opposition parties. Meanwhile, the judge leading the investigation reported receiving “deeply misogynistic” abuse after criticising crisis management.
Call for respect and accountability
Vilaplana ended her testimony with a plea for dignity for herself, her family, and above all for the victims. “It was a painful coincidence, but I am not the one who must be held accountable,” she wrote, stressing that responsibility lies with those in office.
Ongoing debate in Valencia
Her words add fuel to an already charged debate. Opposition groups, led by Compromís spokesperson Alberto Ibáñez, have renewed calls for Mazón to personally answer questions before the parliamentary commission.
With judicial inquiries still underway and political tempers uncooled, the events of 29 October continue to haunt Valencia — and Mazón’s role in them remains far from settled.