Valencia Declares Multiple Victim Procedure Amid Severe DANA Disaster
The President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón, has confirmed the activation of a multiple victim procedure due to the severe weather event known as DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) affecting the province of Valencia. This declaration comes as rescue efforts intensify in the wake of significant devastation across the region. While Mazón acknowledged the existence of victims, he emphasized that it is currently impossible to provide an exact count of fatalities, urging caution and advising residents to refrain from road travel to facilitate the work of emergency services.
During a briefing held this morning with various emergency agency leaders, Mazón highlighted the challenges faced in accessing certain areas that remain isolated due to the impact of the storm. Compounding the situation, major disruptions to telecommunication and electricity services have been reported across vast stretches of the province.
Despite the difficulties, the president reassured the public that emergency personnel are well-prepared to conduct rescue operations as soon as conditions allow. He communicated the proactive measures implemented by the Generalitat, including the activation of the multiple victim procedure, which is in place to enhance the effectiveness of forensic medicine efforts and the identification of any potential victims. Updates regarding this situation are expected in the forthcoming hours.
Expressing gratitude towards government delegate Pilar Bernabé for her collaboration during the crisis, Mazón noted the high level of preparedness and coordination from the onset of the emergency. He affirmed that the resources deployed are suitable for the current situation, facilitating necessary actions wherever access is possible.
The President has cautioned residents in Valencia to avoid travel on roads, not only for personal safety but also to keep access routes clear for emergency responders. A yellow alert for rain has also been issued for the province of Castellón, further advising against road travel in that area as well.
As part of the response effort, since 7:00 AM on Wednesday, a hotline for missing persons has been activated (900365112), specifically for individuals wishing to report information about those unaccounted for. Meanwhile, the emergency number 112 remains operational and has not experienced any outages despite the ongoing issues.
Mazón confirmed that rescue operations are actively underway, with helicopters and specialized rescuers standing by as reinforcements to assist in the most affected areas. The collaboration between the central government and other autonomous communities has been instrumental in allocating the necessary personnel, equipment, and material support needed to react efficiently to this disaster.
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