Raúl Quílez, who was the manager of the public Emergency company during the 2024 Dana crisis that led to 230 deaths in Valencia, has indicated in court that he attended a critical meeting as a "passive observer." His testimony raises questions about the decision-making process during the emergency response, particularly concerning the controversial delay in sending the ES-Alert notification. This delay led to severe consequences as towns were already experiencing severe flooding by the time warnings were issued.

The investigation, led by a judge, is delving into why the emergency response team at Cecopi postponed the ES-Alert until 20:11, which was crucial as many areas were already under water. The implications of this meeting and the actions (or inactions) taken by emergency officials are being meticulously scrutinized, particularly as families of the victims are seeking accountability for the management of the crisis. The revelation of Quílez's feelings of being sidelined and lacking influence during the emergency response adds a layer of complexity to the judicial inquiry.

With the Civil Guard seeking access to deleted WhatsApp messages related to the events of that day, it underscores the seriousness of the investigation. The ongoing judicial process aims to uncover the truth behind this tragic event, and testimonies like Quílez's are pivotal in understanding the sequence of decisions that ultimately affected the response to the devastating flooding. As it unfolds, this case could have lasting implications for emergency management protocols in Spain.