New tragedy in the Valencia region several weeks after the terrible floods which left 228 dead. A worker who was involved in the renovation of a school died, crushed by the roof of the building which collapsed.
A worker working on the rehabilitation of a school hit by dramatic flooding on October 29 in Spain's Valencia region died on Sunday when part of the building's roof collapsed, authorities said.
The victim died”during work in progress in this establishment“, a public school located in Massanassa, a town of 9,000 inhabitants in the suburbs of Valencia, the region's prefect, Pilar Bernabé, told journalists.
During this accident, which occurred on Sunday noon, a second man aged 35 was also injured and transferred to hospital, said Ms. Bernabé, who went to the site in the company of members of the scientific police responsible for the investigation.
Authorities criticized
According to the president of the Valencia region Carlos Mazón, who called an emergency meeting at the headquarters of the regional executive, the victim and his injured colleague both worked for a public works company called Tragsa.
The objective is to “analyser“what could have happened and ensured that this type of accident could not occur”reproduce“, explained Mr. Mazón, under fire from criticism since the end of October for his management considered chaotic of the floods and its consequences.
According to authorities, several soldiers from the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which responds to natural disasters, were in the building when the roof collapsed. However, they managed to escape the building unscathed.
In a message published on the social networkaffection“and of his”solidarity“vis-à-vis”the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased worker“.
“I would like to thank and salute the work of all those who tirelessly participate in the reconstruction work. Their dedication and commitment are the best example of public service“, he added.
The building was too fragile
The school where the accident took place, called Lluís Vives, is according to Spanish media one of the establishments most affected by the floods of October 29 in the south-east of Spain, which left at least 228 dead, including 221 in the Valencia region.
According to the school director, Salvador Crespo, quoted by these media, around twenty vehicles were in fact rammed against the building on the night of October 29, after being carried away by the waves. This led the authorities to prohibit the reopening of the building, which had been seriously weakened.
This new tragedy occurs as work to clear and restore infrastructure destroyed by floods continues in the Valencia region, where thousands of buildings and cars have been affected.
According to the Valencia region, nearly 200,000 tonnes of mud and waste have been evacuated by state and regional services since the end of October.
Valencia Floods deaths
