Guy Hedgecoe
Reporting from Madrid

Valencia’s regional government has been criticized for not being sufficiently prepared for flash floods.

“There are governments that privatize and dismantle as soon as they arrive in the institutions and there are governments that are proud of it,” said Gabriel Rufián, of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC).

He was referring to the conservative administration of Carlos Mazón, which eliminated the Valencia Emergency Unit (UVE) upon taking office in 2023, on the grounds that it was ineffective.

Speaking on the radio, Mr. Mazón defended his handling of the crisis, saying that “experts are talking about an absolutely unprecedented situation.”

He also responded to claims that flood warnings had not been robust enough, saying they had been provided “in the right way”.