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Until her dismissal last November, Salomé Pradas was responsible for overseeing the region’s emergency response and civil protection effort, a position she held during the devastating Valencia DANA floods, last year, during which over 200 people died.
She was in charge of coordinating the Emergency Coordination Centre and ensuring the safety of residents during the crisis. Her role required decisive action to protect public health and mitigate the impact of the flooding.
On Friday, the Valencia Prosecutor’s Office backed her indictment, arguing that Pradas was legally obligated to take responsibility for implementing measures to protect the public during the crisis, as outlined in the Civil Protection Law.
This development strengthens the likelihood of Pradas facing prosecution for her role in the disaster, which caused significant loss of life and property damage.
The prosecutor’s office has requested confirmation of the charges against Pradas and former regional secretary Emilio Argüeso, following a ruling by the judge on March 10. The prosecutor’s office believes the judge’s decision is legally sound and that the charges should proceed.
Pradas is accused of failing to take the necessary actions to protect the public, despite having the authority to direct the emergency response once Emergency Situation Two was declared.
The prosecutor’s office emphasised that, as Regional Minister, it was her responsibility to determine and implement protective measures to safeguard the population.
Pradas was in charge of the region’s Civil Protection Plans and had authority over the Emergency Coordination Centre. As such she was expected to make critical decisions on evacuations, protective measures, and public safety protocols.
In addition, the prosecutor pointed out that Consell, the highest governing body for civil protection in the Valencian Community, was ultimately responsible for ensuring the safety of the population during the floods. Pradas’s failure to take the necessary action exacerbated the harm caused by the crisis, according to the prosecution.
Pradas’s defence team has argued that no individual should bear criminal responsibility for the deaths and destruction caused by the floods. They contend that the failure was a systemic issue involving all three administrations, not the actions of any specific person.
They have framed Pradas as a “scapegoat” for the catastrophe, questioning the direct link between her actions and the disaster’s tragic outcomes.
Despite these defences, the prosecutor’s office has firmly rejected Pradas’s appeal to dismiss the charges. In its statement, the prosecutor’s office clarified that Pradas was responsible for overseeing the flood risk management plan and had the authority to make decisions to protect the public. They pointed to evidence from the Ministry of Emergencies, which suggests that Pradas was directly involved in coordinating the emergency response.
The prosecutor’s office has requested the dismissal of Pradas’s appeal, which sought to close the case, arguing that responsibility for the deaths could not be attributed to any specific person.
This decision increases the likelihood that Pradas will face prosecution. Although the legal process is ongoing and her defence continues to challenge the charges, the prosecutor’s firm stance suggests that the case is progressing toward trial.
In conclusion, the chances of Salomé Pradas being prosecuted for her handling of the Dana crisis now appears to be increasingly likely.
With the prosecutor’s office supporting the charges and rejecting her defence, the legal proceedings will likely continue, and Pradas may soon face trial.
This marks a significant step toward holding those responsible for the disaster accountable.
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