Valencia held a solemn memorial service for the victims of the devastating floods that struck in late October, attended by hundreds of grieving relatives. The ceremony took place in Valencia’s cathedral and was presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. The event also saw the presence of several prominent Spanish politicians.
Government officials included First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance María Jesús Montero, Minister of Territorial Policy Ángel Víctor Torres, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities Diana Morant, and Pilar Bernabé, a government delegate for the Valencian Community. President Pedro Sánchez, who faced public criticism after his visit to the flood-affected region on November 3, was notably absent.
The Archbishopric, which organized the service, reported that around 400 relatives of the deceased attended. These families were provided with seating in the cathedral’s central nave and were allowed to access the area hours before the ceremony, which began at 7 p.m. local time. The mayors of various municipalities impacted by the flood, which left more than 200 people dead and caused extensive damage, were also invited.
Carlos Mazón, president of the Valencian Community, was present and noted that he had refrained from meeting the victims’ families earlier to respect their mourning. The service, however, was not without controversy. Some relatives of the victims expressed concerns that politicians might use the occasion to “clean up” their image following what they described as poor handling of the disaster.
Tensions flared outside the cathedral, where some relatives shouted accusations, calling the politicians “murderers” amid tight security.
The memorial was led by Archbishop Enrique Benavent and attended by priests from affected localities, Valencian bishops, the Episcopal Council, and the Chapter of the Cathedral. Following the hymn of the coronation of the Virgen de los Desamparados, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia offered their condolences to the bereaved families.
