Investigating the Controversial ESAlert: Minister's Alleged Control Over Emergency Communications
The ongoing inquiry into the ESAlert sent to the public during the storm on October 29 has revealed significant details regarding the control exerted by then Minister of Justice and Interior Salomé Pradas over emergency communications. Technician Juan Ramón Cuevas, head of the analysis and monitoring unit of Emergencies, testified before the judge of Investigating Court number 3 of Catarroja that Pradas had dictated the content of the alert message directly.
This revelation raises questions about the effectiveness of the emergency response during a critical period. The judge has previously deemed the content of the ESAlert as delayed and erroneous. According to sources familiar with Cuevas's statement, he admitted he was unaware of the source of information that came into the message, suggesting a possible disconnect between his department and the incidents as they unfolded.
Additionally, during the proceedings, it was highlighted that an email from the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ), sent at 18:43 to warn about extraordinary flow in the Poyo ravine, was not forwarded to the Emergency Command Center (Cecopi). Cuevas explained that five members of the CHJ were present at the Cecopi meeting and he believed they had conveyed the vital information regarding the flood risk.
However, it's essential to note that one of the technicians involved in sending out the ESAlert reported that Minister Pradas had made it explicitly clear that nothing should go out without her approval. This insistence on control raises concerns about potential bottlenecks in communication during emergencies when timely action is crucial to ensure public safety.
The initial intention was to send the ESAlert due to fears of the Forata dam collapsing. Still, this plan was ultimately abandoned in favor of a broader alert for the entire province, as explained by the technicians involved in the situation. This shift in messaging underscores the complexity and urgency of the decision-making processes during natural disasters, and the potential consequences when procedural protocols are overridden.
As the investigation continues, the implications of Pradas's control over emergency communications will likely be a focal point, raising essential questions about accountability in government and the prioritization of public safety against bureaucratic oversight. The community and stakeholders eagerly await further developments in this case, hoping for clarity and improvements in emergency communication protocols to avoid similar situations in the future.
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