Judge Says Missteps by Salomé Pradas and Emilio Argüeso Likely Caused Fatal Flood Deaths in La Torre

The Valencian High Court judge issued a written decision stating that the deaths in the La Torre district during the October 2024 flood were likely avoidable had former regional minister Salomé Pradas and her deputy Emilio Argüeso acted according to their statutory responsibilities. The ruling cites a red weather warning from Aemet, a sluggish deployment of forest firefighters, and a postponed convening of the emergency coordination centre (Cecopi) as critical failures.

The judge criticized Argüeso's claim that he did not need to attend Cecopi, noting that the call came from the regional emergency agency (AVSRE). The final Es-Alert message, sent at 20:11, failed to warn residents against entering garages or staying on ground floors, and a later draft recommending residents stay home was inexplicably altered. The magistrate ordered the Valencia City Council to identify the local official on duty on the day of the flood and to supply all relevant communications, while also summoning the mayor of the neighboring Horno de Alcedo for testimony.