The right-wing president of the Valencia region in southeastern Spain admitted on Friday that there had been “errors” in the handling of last month’s dramatic floods and offered his “apologies” for delays in disaster relief.
“I am not going to deny (that there have been) errors,” declared Carlos Mazón in a speech given to the regional parliament in order to report his reaction – much criticized – to this unprecedented crisis, the results of which The provisional figure was 224 dead on Friday.
Most of the victims – 216 people – were recorded in the Valencia region. There were also seven victims in the neighboring region of Castile-La Mancha and one in Andalusia. Mr Mazón confirmed there were still 16 people missing in his Valencia region.
“I am not going to evade any responsibility,” added Mr. Mazón in total silence, as several dozen people gathered outside the building to listen to his speech.
Cries of “liar” and “assassin” were launched by this crowd during the speech of Mr. Mazón, whose attitude on October 29, the day of the floods, in particular the delay in sending by his services a alert to residents to warn them of the extreme danger of the torrential rains which had been falling since the beginning of the morning, was very vilified.
“This government does not represent us,” shouted the demonstrators, who again demanded his resignation.
Mr. Mazón was attacked by an angry crowd in the town of Paiporta, near Valencia, on November 3, during a visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
Just like socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, he had to quickly leave the procession to escape the demonstrators, who had copiously insulted them.
This appearance before the regional parliament, which takes place both at his request and that of the opposition, was initially scheduled for Thursday, but was postponed due to the new red alert for heavy rains issued Wednesday evening by the agency Aemet weather forecast.
Mr Mazón began his speech by recalling that these were “the worst floods that Spain has suffered since 1962”.
“Everyone understands that the scale of the tragedy and its consequences mean that there will be a before and an after in our lives and that nothing will ever be the same again,” he said.
A member of the Popular Party (right) opposed to the central government of Pedro Sánchez, Mr. Mazón stressed that the parliamentary group of his party had requested the creation of a commission of inquiry by the regional parliament.
