A commander from Spain's Military Emergency Unit testified that Carlos Mazón was not in charge during a critical emergency meeting, contradicting other witness accounts.
Manuel Tárraga, a commander of the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME), testified in court that Carlos Mazón, the then president of the Generalitat, did not lead the Cecopi emergency meeting during the Dana storm crisis. Instead, he claimed that the ex-councillor of Interior, Salomé Pradas, was the one in charge of the meeting, which contradicts previous testimonies that suggested Mazón had taken control of the situation upon his arrival. This testimony is critical as it highlights the conflicting narratives regarding the management of the emergency response during a time when decisive leadership was imperative.
Tárraga's statement was given to judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra during a session at the court in Catarroja, where the ongoing investigation into the responsibilities of various officials during the crisis is being conducted. He emphasized that when Mazón arrived at the Emergency Coordination Center at 20:28 hours, he only asked a few questions and did not display leadership during the critical minutes of the emergency meeting. The claims made by the UME commander raise questions about accountability and the effectiveness of the emergency management protocols in place during such disasters.
The ongoing legal proceedings are essential for determining who is responsible for the emergency response failures and whether any legal action will be taken against these officials. As the testimony unfolds, it could have broader implications for the governance of emergency services in Spain, particularly concerning how officials are held accountable for their decisions during crises and the protocols in place for disaster management.
