Judicial Inquiry into DANA Alert Procedures: Key Decisions Under Scrutiny in Valencian Tragedy
The examining judge No. 3 of Catarroja, Valencia, is continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the alert system activation related to the DANA (Depression in Neutral Atmosphere) event that occurred on October 29. The court has demanded that the Generalitat provide clarity on who took the responsibility for sending the emergency SMS alert on that fateful day.
Additional inquiries have been directed to the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ) to submit data regarding the flow of the Poyo ravine between 4:13 PM and 6:42 PM on the same day. The judge's order aims to grasp how this critical information was communicated during the emergency. The magistrate emphasizes the need for video evidence from various media outlets capturing the rising water levels of the Poyo ravine, alongside any statements made by officials in response to the crisis.
A pivotal aspect of the investigation revolves around the EsAlert system, which is designed to inform citizens of extreme weather risks. The judge is intent on understanding both the alert's timing and the evolution of the meteorological conditions that led up to the overflowing of the Poyo ravine. Testimonies are to be gathered from individuals and families affected by the tragedy, particularly focusing on how unaware victims were of the perilous situation they were in.
It has been reported that many elderly victims tragically remained in their ground floor residences and succumbed to the unexpected flood. Others were outside, attempting to secure their vehicles from flooded garages when the alert message advising against travel was broadcasted around 8:11 PM. The delay in informing residents could be a central element in assessing the effectiveness of the emergency response during the disaster.
The judge insists that not only must the immediate flow measurements and assessments by emergency officials be scrutinized, but so too must the communication strategies that may have alerted the populace before the disaster peaked, including any press releases, public addresses, or correspondences with the media.
The urgency of the inquiry also arises from the ambiguity surrounding the notification process which should have made residents aware of the high-risk situation presented by both the Poyo ravine and the Barranco de l'Horteta.
Currently, the court is awaiting a detailed response from the regional government regarding who made the call to issue the warning SMS and the identity of the personnel who executed this order. The Supreme Court of Justice of the Valencian Community has already emphasized the importance of accountability in this regard.
Furthermore, the judge highlights a concerning lack of documented communications relating to the Poyo ravine's flow data during a critical time window on October 29. The time frame in question has raised questions as the CHJ indicated that its Automatic Hydrological Information System was operational and updating data every five minutes, contradicting the period of silence noted in their emails.
In pursuit of full accountability, the magistrate has demanded the CHJ clarify the integrity of the data available during the stated timeframe and specify how this data was communicated—whether it was made public on their website or through other channels.
This order has been communicated to the Prosecutor's Office and the seven private complaints lodged thus far, and it is subject to potential appeal. As this inquiry unfolds, it signifies a crucial step towards understanding the failures and response protocols in place during one of the region's more tragic natural disasters.
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