Else Beekman
One year after the devastating DANA floods swept across the Valencia region, the scars are still painfully visible – not just physically, but politically and legally. What exactly happened on 29 October 2024? Who is being held accountable? And why is Carlos Mazón, the regional president, still in office despite growing public outrage? Most importantly: how are the survivors doing today?
On 29 October 2024, a severe DANA, an isolated high-altitude storm system, triggered catastrophic flooding in the region. In just 24 hours, over 650 litres per square metre of rain fell, with peaks of up to 800 l/m2 in towns like Alzira and Sueca, according to Spain’s national weather agency AEMET.
Entire municipalities such as Paiporta, Alzira, Carcaixent, Sueca, and Torrent were flooded. Homes, schools, and hospitals had to be evacuated. By the end, the death toll had reached at least 229, with 187 deaths in the Valencia region alone. Others died in Castellón, Murcia and Andalucia, where the storm also hit hard.
But the natural disaster quickly turned into a political one. Why did the emergency alert (ES-alert) go out so late, at 8.11 pm, when people had already drowned? How could the region’s emergency coordination systems fail so profoundly?
The legal investigation: ongoing, but slow
A year later, a legal investigation is still underway. Valencia’s court is examining whether there was administrative negligence. Two officials are formally under investigation: former regional interior minister Salomé Pradas and emergency coordinator Emilio Argüeso. So far, they are the only high-level figures officially considered suspects. No charges have been filed yet.
President Carlos Mazón is not a suspect, though that could change. The court has not ruled out the possibility of proceedings against him, depending on witness statements and forensic reports. One key witness is journalist Maribel Vilaplana, who was reportedly having lunch with Mazón as the disaster unfolded and emergency teams were overwhelmed. Multiple sources say he was unreachable during critical hours.
A chain of failures
Warnings of extreme weather had been issued days in advance. Yet action was slow. Reports about rising water levels in the Rambla del Poyo arrived on the morning of 29 October, but the mass alert wasn’t sent until after 8.00 pm.
The regional coordination centre, CECOPI, was reportedly fully staffed for just 45 minutes that day. A union report claims the system failed at the worst possible moment. There are also allegations that Mazón’s government withheld internal communications related to the emergency response – an issue now under investigation.
Public anger and protest
Despite the scale of the disaster and mounting questions, Carlos Mazón remains in office. Since the flood, twelve mass protests have taken place across the region, demanding his resignation. The “Mazón Dimisión” movement has become a symbol of the push for political accountability. The latest protest, on 26 October 2025, drew around 7,000 people in Valencia.
Mazón remains politically supported and has not been legally challenged. Under Spain’s system, a regional president can only be removed by a vote of no confidence or party decision – neither of which has happened.
Mazón argues that the DANA was an unprecedented natural event. However, critics say that it doesn’t explain the systemic failures and delays.
How are the victims of the DANA Valencia doing?
For many survivors, the nightmare continues. Two people are still officially missing. One, José Javier Vicent, 56, from Pedralba, was found dead in October 2025. Another, Francisco Ruiz, 64, disappeared after saving his grandchildren. Elisabeth Gil, 37, from Cheste, is still legally missing. Her mother’s body was found; theirs was one of many vehicles swept away by the waters.
Despite nearly €900 million in aid promised, many are still waiting for full payments or remain in temporary housing. Some homes remain uninhabitable.
Entire towns are still visibly marked by the disaster. Streets in places like Montserrat and Real de Montroi still show signs of rubble, with families living in half-repaired homes and struggling to rebuild their lives. “People seem to have forgotten,” wrote Irune Casamayor in El País, “but for many, the nightmare continues. Some damages will take years to repair, others, like the loss of a loved one, are beyond repair.”
According to El País, aid from regional and national governments and insurers arrived late and only partially addressed the damage. A Chamber of Commerce report reveals that 460 service-sector businesses remain closed. Nearly 6% of industrial parks affected by the flood are still under reconstruction.
Infrastructural repairs in towns like Alzira and Sueca have begun, bridges and roads have been restored, but many public housing units remain empty, and key sewer and drainage upgrades are delayed. Citizens complain of bureaucracy, lack of transparency, and limited communication.
Victims’ groups are increasingly vocal. Rosa Álvarez of the Asociación de Víctimas Mortales 29 de Octubre told eldiario.es: “We consider him [Mazón] the main person responsible for the death of our loved ones.”
Mariló Gradolí, speaking to El País, added: “It’s been a year, and no one has taken responsibility. People are grieving, and Valencian society cannot let this pass.”
What has been done to prevent a repeat?
Some preventive measures have been announced. The Generalitat plans to overhaul the ES-alert system and improve coordination with AEMET and the Júcar River Authority. There are proposals to reinforce drainage infrastructure, especially in vulnerable zones. In places like Alzira, new flood warning systems with sirens and light signals are being trialled.
But many of these initiatives remain on paper. Local leaders, including Sueca’s mayor, say funding and national support are lacking. Despite calls for a centralised national disaster response protocol, no significant national reforms have been implemented.
A difficult anniversary
This first anniversary is a moment of grief, but also frustration. Slow justice, political silence, and long-term hardship have eroded public trust.
The coming months may be pivotal. New forensic findings and testimonies could shape the legal case. Whether that leads to real accountability remains to be seen.
For survivors, closure means answers and responsibility, both still painfully absent.
Official memorial ceremony on 29 October
A state memorial is scheduled for 29 October 2025 to mark the first anniversary of the disaster. Though rare for regional events, this “funeral de Estado” reflects the tragedy’s scale. Government officials, victims’ families, and the Spanish kings are expected to attend.
Several victims’ associations have explicitly requested that President Mazón not be present. The central government called the request “reasonable”. While he hasn’t been formally barred, his attendance remains uncertain. A spokesperson for the Sánchez administration stated the focus should be on the victims, not political tension.
The ceremony will be broadcast live via RTVE and regional networks, offering a moment of national reflection on what happened, and what has yet to be resolved.
DANA Valencia: Two months on and thousands still struggle