Tens of Thousands Protest in Valencia on Flood Anniversary, Demand Regional President's Resignation

Massive Demonstration Marks Somber Anniversary

Valencia, Spain – On Saturday, October 25, 2025, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Valencia to mark the first anniversary of the devastating floods that claimed 229 lives and caused widespread destruction across the region. The massive demonstration, organized by a coalition of social, civic, and labor organizations, including victims' associations, culminated near the regional government headquarters. Protesters vociferously demanded the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazón, accusing his administration of a negligent and slow response to the catastrophe.

Estimates of attendance varied, with the central government's office in Valencia reporting over 50,000 participants, while local police placed the figure at 32,000. Many demonstrators carried photographs of loved ones lost in the disaster, alongside banners bearing messages such as 'Justice,' 'Mazón to prison,' and 'They didn't die, they were murdered.' This protest is the latest in a series of monthly demonstrations held since the floods occurred.

The Catastrophic Floods of October 2024

The deadly floods struck on October 29, 2024, when torrential rains, caused by a 'DANA' (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) or 'cold drop' weather system, inundated 78 municipalities, primarily in the southern outskirts of Valencia city. The region experienced unprecedented rainfall, with some areas receiving over 300 millimeters in just a few hours, and in some cases, a year's worth of rain in an eight-hour period. The disaster resulted in 229 confirmed deaths, making it Spain's deadliest natural disaster in decades. The floods also caused immense material damage, sweeping away an estimated 130,000 vehicles, damaging thousands of homes, and generating 800,000 tonnes of debris. Total economic damage was estimated at 10.7 billion euros.

Criticism Leveled Against Regional President Mazón

A central point of contention is the regional government's handling of emergency alerts. The national weather agency, AEMET, had issued its highest alert level for torrential rains more than 12 hours before mobile phone alerts were finally dispatched by the regional administration. These alerts were sent around 8:11 PM on October 29, 2024, by which time flooding had already begun in many areas. Rosa Alvarez, who leads an association representing flood victims, stated that her 80-year-old father was already drowning when the alert was issued, blaming the government's inaction for his death.

Further criticism has focused on President Mazón's actions on the day of the floods. Reports indicate he had a long lunch with a journalist and appeared in photos receiving a tourism certification, arriving late to the emergency coordination center. Protesters, such as Gonzalo Bosch from Paiporta, one of the hardest-hit towns, asserted that 'Mazón wasn't where he should have been that day, he wasn't up to the task.' A recent poll published in the daily newspaper El País revealed that 71 percent of Valencia residents believe Mazón should resign.

Mazón's Defense and Ongoing Investigations

In his defense, President Mazón, a member of the conservative Popular Party (PP), has maintained that his administration did not receive sufficient warning from central authorities and that the scale of the disaster was unforeseeable. While he has admitted to mistakes, he has refused to resign, describing the floods as an 'unprecedented' and 'apocalyptic' event that overwhelmed existing systems. Mazón has also pledged to establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry to thoroughly assess the incident and the response.

A judicial investigation into the emergency response is currently underway. The protest on Saturday coincided with a state memorial ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, the official anniversary of the floods, which King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez are expected to attend.