Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, the judge from Catarroja in Valencia, has taken the preliminary step to investigate Carlos Mazón, the former president of the Generalitat, concerning his potential criminal responsibility for the 230 deaths resulting from the storm that occurred on October 29, 2024. This action comes after over 15 months of investigations, during which the judge has heard testimony from more than 500 witnesses and experts. The judicial investigation aims to ascertain accountability for the disaster, focusing on the actions and decisions made during the crisis management.

The magistrate has submitted a reasoned exposition to the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Valencia (Tsjcv), which is a necessary procedural step for indicting Mazón due to his political status as an autonomous deputy. Consequently, the investigation can only proceed through the Tsjcv, rather than through a regular court, a situation that underscores the legal complexities surrounding high-ranking officials in Spain.

This significant move not only highlights the ongoing legal scrutiny regarding disaster management in the region but also raises questions about political accountability and the response to natural disasters. Should Mazón be indicted, it could have considerable implications for his political future and for the broader discourse on governance and crisis response in Spain.