Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Outgoing Valencia Leader Grilled Over Deadly Flood Response
The former leader of Spain's Valencia region, Carlos Mazon, went before parliament to explain his actions during deadly floods that killed 229 people.
He said that nobody knew people were drowning at the time and that he couldn't have changed the outcome.
Critics accused him of not doing enough, saying his government should have taken more steps to prevent the disaster and help people, like warning nursing homes.
They also pointed out holes in his story about where he was and why he missed calls.
Mazon has since resigned but is still facing tough questions about his decisions.
He admitted to making mistakes he'll 'have to live with'.
Outgoing Valencia leader Carlos Mazon testified in parliament about last year's floods that killed 229 people.
Mazon stated that authorities were unaware of the scale of the catastrophe and that people were drowning.
Critics accused Mazon of inaction, failure to implement preventive measures, and mismanagement of reconstruction funds.
Lawmakers questioned Mazon's timeline and whereabouts during the crisis, pointing out missed calls and a lengthy lunch.
Mazon resigned on November 3, acknowledging mistakes, but remains under scrutiny as his successor has not yet been sworn in.
- Who
- Carlos Mazon, outgoing leader of Spain's Valencia region
- What
- Testified in parliament regarding the handling of last year's deadly floods.
- When
- Testimony on a Monday in November (after his Nov 3 resignation), floods occurred on October 29, 2024.
- Where
- Parliament in Madrid and Valencia region, Spain.
- Why
- To be questioned over the government's response to floods that killed 229 people.
Critics (Podemos, ERC, Sumar, Socialists)
Carlos Mazon
Responsibility for Deaths
Critics (Podemos, ERC, Sumar, Socialists)
Accused Mazon of being personally responsible for the deaths and suggested he should be jailed. Claimed his government failed to enact preventive measures like suspending classes or warning nursing homes and criticized reconstruction fund management. Asserted his account of events has repeatedly changed.
Carlos Mazon
Stated authorities were unaware people were drowning and did not grasp the catastrophe's scale. Argued that even if he had left lunch earlier, nothing would have changed. Maintained that issuing flood warnings was not his direct responsibility and defended missed calls from his emergency chief.
Account of Events
Critics (Podemos, ERC, Sumar, Socialists)
Criticized his inability to provide an exact timeline of his whereabouts on the day of the floods, including a long lunch and a period when emergency services chief tried to reach him. Noted there are 'many holes' in his version of events.
Carlos Mazon
Stated he could not be precise about exact timings of his whereabouts and claimed he missed calls from his emergency chief.
- Fatalities
- 229
- Date of Floods
- October 29, 2024
- Date of Resignation
- November 3, 2024
- Location
- Valencia region, Spain
- Alleged Damage
- Billions of euros