Judicial Order Reveals State's Knowledge of Flood Disaster Amidst Tragic Family Loss
In a startling judicial order released on Friday, the presiding judge of the Court of Instruction Number 3 in Catarroja, Valencia, has confirmed that the Autonomous Administration responsible for civil protection through the 112 emergency service was fully aware of the dangerous overflow of a ravine in Chiva prior to a devastating flood that resulted in the tragic drowning of a father and two of his children. This disaster unfolded while their mother was powerless to intervene.
The order has rejected a request from Emilio Argüeso, who served as the Secretary of Emergencies for the Generalitat Valenciana during the flood, seeking a detailed account of the victims and circumstances surrounding their deaths. His legal representative emphasized the need for clarity regarding what actions or omissions could be attributed to Argüeso under the Penal Code in relation to this case, as he has been called to testify as a defendant.
On the day of the flooding, Argüeso's defense argued, there was no communication sent to the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi) from 112, despite the participation of the Emergency Coordination Center's director, raising questions about the response system's efficacy. The judge stated that there was insufficient basis for the clarification sought and maintained that the original order dated March 10, 2025, which declared both Argüeso and Salomé Pradas—another key figure in the Interior Ministry at the time—as defendants, is well-grounded in the testimonies from victims’ families and corroborating documentation available to the court.
The judge emphasized that the case continues to evolve, incorporating new statements and evidence that reinforce the decision to summon Pradas and Argüeso as defendants. The tragic story of another couple who perished in their home in Paiporta, where they were trapped by floodwaters while their two minor children remained inside, was also brought into light.
The order outlines the substantial information in possession of the Autonomous Administration, AEMET, 112, and the media regarding the flood risk, noting their failure to alert the public, which left residents vulnerable in various contexts, including their homes and workplaces.
Disturbingly, audio recordings from calls made to 112 significantly document the desperate situation faced by the family in Chiva. A member of the family repeatedly communicated their dire predicament starting from 5:10 PM, stating they were trapped in their home due to rising floodwaters. The individual clearly articulated their fear of being swept away if they attempted to escape, reiterating, "the water comes up halfway to the table and they cannot get out."
Calls from the children’s aunt at 5:31, 5:39, and 5:51 PM further revealed the desperation of the situation as she urgently requested a helicopter for rescue, relaying the imminent risk to the family as they clung to a window. Despite these desperate pleas, the response from those in authority raises serious questions about the failure to act and the judicial investigations unfolding as a result.
As the investigation progresses, it highlights the critical need for accountability in emergency response systems, especially in protecting the most vulnerable members of society during natural disasters.
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