Judge Requests Further Investigation into DANA Management Amid Court Proceedings
The head of the Court of First Instance and Instruction number 3 of Catarroja, Valencia, has taken new steps in the investigation concerning the management of the DANA (a severe weather event) that occurred on October 29. Following a ruling notified this Thursday, the magistrate has requested the Ministry of Emergencies to provide additional documentation to further understand the events surrounding this incident.
Additionally, the Civil Guard has been tasked with compiling a report on the Emergency Coordination Center located in l'Eliana. This report is expected to detail the building's video recording systems, covering both the entrance and various interior rooms.
This ruling responds to the request made by one of the popular accusations involved in the case, known as Acció Cultural del País Valencià (ACPV). The magistrate also requested that the Ministry of Emergencies and the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency Response (AVSRE) provide a list of job positions for workers stationed at the Emergency Coordination Center. This documentation will include the tasks, training, and personal details of the employees, particularly focusing on those who were present at the center during the critical hours of the DANA.
Furthermore, the ruling demands that the same institutions supply information related to the Special Flood Plan and the communications sent to the municipalities and provinces potentially affected by the floods triggered by the Poyo ravine. The magistrate is particularly interested in the actions taken by the General Director of Natural and Animal Environment, specifically the timing of control measures concerning the ravine on October 29.
Interestingly, the magistrate has denied a request for an ocular inspection of the Emergency Coordination Center, which was sought by the popular accusation of Acció Cultural. However, the decision to have the Civil Guard prepare a detailed report on the facilities shows a commitment to thorough investigation. The report will assess the existing video systems at the center and evaluate the technological capabilities that ensured operational efficiency during the crisis.
The judge has also rejected a separate request from Emilio Argüeso, the former regional secretary of Emergencies, to testify via telematics on April 11. This request was denied due to the serious nature of the crimes under investigation, which include homicides and negligent injuries stemming from the events of October 29. The judge cited the complexity of the case and the necessity for a personal appearance, indicating that there were no valid reasons for allowing a virtual testimony in this particular instance.
As this investigation unfolds, the coordinated efforts among judicial authorities, emergency management, and civil society highlight the ongoing commitment to uncover accountability and ensure that proper procedures were followed during the disaster response.
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