José María Ángel, regional secretary for Security and Emergencies of the Valencian Government, this Monday, in previous verifications “No abnormality has been detected to recommend that the holiday not be celebrated” Cullera Jellyfish Festival, where several structures collapsed, causing one death and dozens of injuries.
Ángel appeared before the Justice Commission of Les Corts Valencianes to explain the actions taken at dawn on Saturday, August 13, when a storm caused by a thermal explosion caused the destruction and death of several structures of the electronic and dance music festival. A young man from Daimiel (Ciudad Real) and multiple injuries.
After reminding that the case is being investigated by the courts, Ángel argued that the emergency teams did an excellent job of evacuating the building where more than 50,000 people were concentrated.
Likewise, pre-validations “They did not detect abnormalities that would recommend any other action that is not the development of the event.“, but stated that “the administration will take legal action or a sanction system” if the judicial investigation finds otherwise.
In particular, he pointed out that the company had all the permits including a permit from the OCA (Authorized Controlling Body), is responsible for confirming compliance with applicable safety requirements.
He noted that the State Meteorological Service set the yellow level for storms and very high temperatures for that weekend, but the warning was limited to the province of Castellón and the interior of Valencia, while Cullera was off the coast of this last one. region.
Likewise, he explained that they were involved in everything the regulation required them to do, such as the Local Safety Board and the inspection of buildings, from the Security and Emergency Response Service.
Specifically, he statede Generalitat’s Police inspected the building on 9 August and 12 August, when all the facilities were not yet established.when documentation, capacity, emergency exits, security personnel and other elements required by healthcare and hospitality regulation are verified.
Ángel noted that the first call was received at 04:04 on Saturday and although he only warned that there was a storm in the festival area with no injuries or property damage, different emergency services are already operational: Firefighters, CICU, Red Cross, Civil Guard , Local Police and Generalitat Police.
On the second call at 4:14 am, he was already warned of the fall of the elements and injuries, and as he himself said, it is not the Generalitat that decides, but each unit decides what resources to mobilize and how. based on the seriousness of the facts disclosed.
In this sense, he argued: The response of the emergency sources was appropriate and allowed the evacuation of the entire facility.
Opposition’s suspicions
From opposition groups regretted the few statements givenand whether any advice had been made to Cullera City Council, given the expected climate situation, or whether it was possible for Generalitat to suspend such an event if it deems it to be a risk.
In addition, it was evaluated from Unides Podem whether it would be appropriate to tighten the protocols and expand the criteria for the cancellation of these macro events in the event that meteorological events such as those in August occur again. .
José María Ángel said that the Generalitat has the authority to not allow an event when there is a violation of the norm, but in this case the festival has all the documents, even an OCA.
In any case, he evaluated that public officials should not remain only in their own jurisdiction but should be concerned and concerned with “how the answers can be improved” and stated that it is possible to “reflect”. In this context.