The Catholic memorial mass for the 222 victims of the devastating DANA floods on 29 October brought both solemnity and tension to Valencia’s Gothic cathedral.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, attending to show solidarity with the bereaved, were greeted with applause from those gathered inside. But outside the cathedral, emotions boiled over as grieving families voiced their anger at what they described as government failures.
The ceremony, officiated by Archbishop Enrique Benavent, offered moments of quiet reflection. However, the political presence at the event ignited bitter protests after the service concluded.
Criticism of crisis response: “This was preventable”
Carlos Mazón, the regional president of Valencia, bore the brunt of the families’ frustrations. During the service, a young man approached Mazón in the cathedral’s side nave. He handed him a photograph of his deceased father with the word “murderer” scrawled on the back. Although Mazón accepted the photo, the man refused to disclose what he had said.
Other mourners joined the criticism. Lidia, a woman from Benetússer who lost a loved one, publicly rebuked Mazón over the delay in issuing public warnings during the disaster. “Go and enjoy your lunch now,” she told him, referencing a meeting he attended on the day of the floods, hours before arriving at the crisis command centre. By the time emergency alerts were sent to residents, much of the province was already submerged.
Outrage spills onto the streets
Outside the cathedral, the atmosphere was even more charged. Yolanda, who lost her brother, sister-in-law, and five-year-old nephew, condemned the authorities for their handling of the disaster. “No one came for my brother. His friends had to find him in the ravine using picks and shovels. No police, no rescue teams—just neighbours and friends,” she said, holding a banner reading: “This wasn’t a natural disaster. It was murder.”
Sonia, the daughter of a victim from Picanya, walked out of the cathedral in protest at the presence of government officials. “They failed us, and yet they’re here. Why should we have to endure this?” she said, her frustration aimed at both regional and national leaders for what she called a catastrophic lack of coordination.
Royal presence offers comfort amid political turmoil
Inside the cathedral, King Felipe and Queen Letizia spent nearly half an hour speaking with families, offering words of comfort. Their presence was largely appreciated, though a handful of voices outside criticised the monarchy alongside government officials. While some gathered shouted cheers for the royal couple, others mixed their applause with jeers.
Reactions from bereaved families
Some grieving families expressed their discontent by walking out of the religious service upon the arrival of political figures. Sonia Fuster, who lost her father in Picanya on the night of 29 October, explained her decision to leave: “I couldn’t share the space with those responsible for my father’s death. We stood up and left silently when we saw them arrive. I’m not political, but this is on the politicians—the Valencian government failed, and no one is held accountable. In a private company, you’d be fired for this, but we can’t dismiss Mazón, and Feijóo backs him. That doesn’t mean the national government did well either—they didn’t.”
Similarly, Juan José Monrabal, who lost his 85-year-old mother in Catarroja, stayed outside the service in protest, criticising the timing of the funeral while people remain missing. “This shouldn’t be happening while others are still searching for loved ones. The handling of the emergency was appalling, and it’s disgraceful that a flood prevention project from 2004 remains uncompleted.” Nearly half the victims of the disaster were elderly residents living in ground-floor properties in l’Horta Sud, like Sonia’s father and Juan José’s mother.
Government to host national tribute
The central government, in collaboration with affected regions, has announced plans for a national civil tribute to honour the victims of the disaster. The DANA floods, which devastated communities across Valencia, Murcia, and other regions, have reignited debates about Spain’s readiness to respond to climate-related catastrophes.
Although the memorial service aimed to bring solace and unity, the scars left by the disaster—and the anger over how it was handled—remain raw. For many families, no amount of tribute or remembrance will be enough to heal the wounds left by the tragedy of 29 October.