Tens of Thousands Demand Accountability on Valencia Flood Anniversary

Tens of thousands of people protested in Valencia on October 29, 2024, marking the first anniversary of devastating floods that claimed the lives of **229 individuals**. Demonstrators expressed their anger over the management of the disaster and called for the resignation of regional leader **Carlos Mazon**.

Many participants carried photographs of the victims as they marched through the streets of Spain’s third-largest city. Protesters criticized Mazon for a slow response to the disaster, which is regarded as one of Europe’s deadliest natural catastrophes in decades.

“People are still really angry,” said **Rosa Cerros**, a 42-year-old government employee who attended the protest with her family. “Why weren’t people evacuated? It’s incomprehensible.”

Mazon’s administration has faced significant backlash for delaying text alerts until flooding had already commenced in various areas. According to reports, warnings were issued more than **12 hours** after the national weather agency had raised its highest alert level for torrential rains. Residents recounted that by the time they received the alerts, muddy water had already entered their homes and vehicles.

The floods severely impacted **78 municipalities** in the southern outskirts of Valencia. The body of one victim was discovered just days before the anniversary of the disaster, highlighting ongoing concerns about the aftermath.

### Criticism of Leadership

Mazon’s leadership has come under fire for his inaction during the crisis. On the day of the floods, he was photographed enjoying a lengthy lunch with a journalist and was also featured in social media posts celebrating a sustainable tourism certification. Protester **Gonzalo Bosch**, a 38-year-old accountant from one of the hardest-hit towns, expressed frustration over Mazon’s absence during the emergency.

“Mazon wasn’t where he should have been that day; he wasn’t up to the task,” Bosch stated.

Authorities estimated that over **50,000 individuals** took part in the protest, according to the central government’s office in Valencia. While organizers did not provide their own estimates, the turnout underscores the depth of public discontent. Demonstrators displayed placards demanding Mazon’s resignation and some even called for his imprisonment.

### The Burden of Responsibility

Under Spain’s decentralized governance structure, disaster management falls to regional administrations. Mazon, a member of the conservative **Popular Party (PP)**, contended that his government lacked the necessary information to issue timely warnings. A recent poll published by **El País** indicated that **71 percent** of Valencia residents believe Mazon should resign.

Many of the flood victims were elderly, with nearly half aged **70 or older**. Protesters highlighted this fact to illustrate what they viewed as a failure to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

**Rosa Alvarez**, who leads an association for flood victims, holds the regional government accountable for her 80-year-old father’s death. She recounted how he was already drowning by the time the mobile alert was sent out. “Every minute counted that day. When the alarm sounded, people had already drowned or were in real danger,” said Alvarez, a 51-year-old social worker. “All those deaths were completely preventable.”

Campaigners have consistently organized protests, often coinciding with the monthly anniversaries of the floods. Despite Mazon’s declining popularity, **Alberto Núñez Feijóo**, the national leader of the PP, has publicly supported him. Political analyst **Anton Losada** from the University of Santiago de Compostela noted that Feijóo has little choice but to back Mazon, as his resignation could lead to early elections in Valencia—a scenario that could have dire consequences for both Mazon and the party’s leadership.

As the anniversary of the tragedy unfolds, the public’s demand for accountability continues, emphasizing the need for effective disaster preparedness and response in the face of natural calamities.