Raúl Quílez, the Director General of Innovation for Valencia's emergency services, resigned after giving testimony before the court investigating the tragic consequences of the October 2024 floods. His departure comes as high-ranking officials openly question the defense line of former minister Salomé Pradas. The proceedings focus on delays in sending emergency alerts and a lack of coordination between departments during the disaster.

Dismissal of Raúl Quílez

A high-ranking official for innovation in rescue services left his position after giving testimony incriminating the ministry's leadership regarding crisis management.

Testimonies Undermine Pradas's Version

Undersecretary Ricardo García confirmed in court that the Es-Alert system was known to officials long before the tragedy, contradicting the explanations of the former minister.

Lack of Inter-Ministerial Coordination

The ministries of education and agriculture stated that emergency services did not provide them with any protective measures or instructions for residents.

The situation in the emergency structures of the Generalitat Valenciana deteriorated sharply following a series of testimonies in the court in Catarroja. Raúl Quílez, responsible for innovation in emergency structures, resigned after presenting incriminating evidence as a witness regarding crisis management during the DANA. The investigation aims to determine responsibility for the deaths of 230 people.

The flash flood (DANA) of October 29, 2024, was one of the most tragic natural disasters in modern Spanish history, destroying thousands of homes and infrastructure in the province of Valencia. A key element of the dispute is the Es-Alert system. Former Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, Salomé Pradas, had previously maintained that she only learned of the system's existence on the day of the disaster. However, her subordinate, Ricardo García, testified before Judge Nuria Ruiz that the system had been well-known in the ministry for a long time as the most effective life-saving tool. Additionally, the ministries of education and agriculture admitted they received no guidelines from emergency services regarding protecting the population before the disaster struck.

Simultaneously, Aemet published a report confirming that climate change significantly increased the destructive force of the phenomenon. In the town of Turís, a record rainfall of 771.8 mm was recorded in just 16 hours. The meteorological agency sharply criticized climate change deniers, pointing to indisputable scientific data linking the rise in Mediterranean Sea temperature to extreme rainfall.

Mentioned People

  • Raúl Quílez — Director General of Innovation for Valencia's Emergency Services, who submitted his resignation.
  • Salomé Pradas — Former Minister of Home Affairs and Justice of Valencia, accused of errors in crisis management.
  • Nuria Ruiz — Judge leading the investigation into negligence during the DANA flood.