Valencian Government Delegate Testifies on Emergency Response Delays During DANA
Pilar Bernabé, the Government delegate in the Valencian Community, appeared before a judge on Monday to provide testimony regarding the catastrophic DANA that struck on October 29. During her statement in Instruction Court number 3 of Catarroja, Valencia, Bernabé detailed her efforts and communication with officials during the severe flooding.
On that fateful day, Bernabé testified that she reached out to the then Minister of Emergencies, Salomé Pradas, at 12:23 PM, offering the assistance of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) due to the rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. However, it was not until after 3 PM that Pradas requested the deployment of the UME.
As both Bernabé and Pradas face scrutiny for their responses to the urgent situation, Bernabé emphasized her willingness to cooperate fully with the legal process. "I arrived with the intention to collaborate and promote peace for the many people who have suffered, especially the families of the fatalities," she told reporters before entering the court.
In the wake of DANA's impact, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life, the judge is examining the actions of various officials involved, including the former Minister of Justice Salomé Pradas and former Secretary of Emergencies Emilio Argüeso. Last week, Pradas and Argüeso testified as well, pointing fingers at Bernabé for her role in the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi), tasked with managing emergency response.
During her testimony, Bernabé provided a comprehensive account of her actions, including a detailed list of the calls she made throughout that day. She expressed the urgency of her communications, particularly noting that when Cecopi was reconnected, she had learned from the mayor of Paiporta that people were drowning. This prompted her to request an alert message not just for the areas impacted by the Forata dam, but for the entire province of Valencia.
The legal proceedings continue as investigators and the public seek clarity on the decisions made by government officials during one of the region's worst natural disasters. With the testimonies unfolding, the ramifications of their actions and the overall preparedness for such emergencies are under intense scrutiny.
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