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Valencia's ex-leader faces new questions over flood crisis timeline
Former Valencia regional president Carlos Mazón is under renewed scrutiny after reports suggest he spent more time with a journalist than previously disclosed during the deadly 29 October 2024 floods, which killed 229 people in eastern Spain and eight others in neighboring areas.
Mazón, a member of the conservative People's Party (PP), announced earlier this month he would step down as regional leader amid criticism over his administration's delayed response to the disaster. Authorities did not issue a phone alert warning residents to stay indoors until after 20:00-by which time most victims had already perished.
Discrepancies in accounts of lunch meeting
Investigations reveal Mazón spent nearly four hours dining with journalist Maribel Vilaplana at a Valencia restaurant, according to testimony before Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, who is probing potential negligence.
Vilaplana initially told the court they parted ways at 18:45 near a car park, where she remained in her vehicle for over an hour before driving off at 19:47. However, local outlet Levante reported, citing PP sources, that she drove Mazón to government headquarters, dropping him off around 20:00-suggesting they were together far longer than stated.
Security footage later placed Mazón at the emergency agency at 20:28, leaving a 37-minute gap in his movements unaccounted for. Phone records show he missed multiple calls during this period. Some reports, citing police sources, claim he returned home to shower or nap before reporting to headquarters.
Mazón denies new allegations
In response, Mazón insisted he walked to the government building and dismissed claims Vilaplana drove him, calling the reports irrelevant to emergency management.
"Information keeps coming out that has nothing to do with the handling of the emergency, or the taking of decisions, of operational decisions, or the management of [the floods], it has nothing to do with that."
Carlos Mazón, former Valencia regional president
He has repeatedly blamed Spain's central government for failing to provide adequate flood warnings.
Investigation widens
During judicial questioning on Wednesday, Mazón's chief of staff, José Manuel Cuenca, admitted knowing the crisis's severity by 15:00-while Mazón was still at lunch. Meanwhile, former interior chief Salomé Pradas was named a suspect in the probe but denies wrongdoing, stating she acted on available information.
Mazón retains parliamentary immunity, shielding him from charges. Socialist Party official José Muñoz called for his removal from office, accusing him of being "trapped in a labyrinth of lies."
Key questions remain
The investigation continues to focus on why critical alerts were delayed and whether Mazón's absence from emergency meetings contributed to the crisis's mishandling.
