Accident at the Christmas Fair and the Licensing Dilemma in Mislata
On January 4, a tragic incident occurred at the Christmas fair in Mislata when an inflatable castle collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two girls aged four and eight, named Vera and Cayetana, and leaving nine others injured. The event raised questions about how the fair was run in the weeks leading up to the accident, including whether the attractions had the proper licenses to operate. Authorities from the city council, together with investigators, began a formal inquiry to uncover the facts from the start of the incident and to determine whether any regulatory failures played a role.
The investigation revealed a complicated sequence of communications. There were requests for documentation from the town hall, and a push to obtain a certified file showing the processing of the operating license for the Christmas fairgrounds from the city’s Industrial Service. The mayor’s office acknowledged these requests, and the case file was cited as part of the judicial process. The search for the necessary permits, including permission to occupy public space, continued as part of understanding how the fairgrounds were authorized to operate within the town’s streets and sidewalks during the event period.
Details show that the necessary operating license was considered essential for any business to begin activity in the municipal area. Yet, questions remained about what specific permissions existed for December 3 to January 16, and whether all required steps were followed in granting access to the public road for the fair setup. The core issue was to determine if the fair had a clear and complete authorization to use public space for private activity, such as street stalls and attractions, and whether the licensing process had been properly documented and filed.
The Delay in Action and the Fair’s Suspension
For a period, there was a perception that no immediate action was taken to halt the fair after the tragedy. The investigation notes show that members of the National Police, along with local police and others connected to the company running the fair, passed through the site during proceedings. Only after the judicial authorities pressed for answers did a decision emerge to pause the fair while the inquiries continued. The city council supplied documents in response to the court’s requests, including files related to public occupancy and the processing of the operating license, which were reviewed as part of the case. This exchange helped to clarify what permissions had been granted and what documentation was still outstanding at that time.
In late September, the council provided a dossier concerning the use of public roads from July and a report from the City Planning and Industry Service. The documents indicated that an activity license file for the Christmas fairgrounds did not exist under the name used for the event, or that the licensing status was not clearly defined as an operating license separate from the public-occupancy file. The interpretation suggested that the authority for the fair came through a general permit rather than a distinct license dedicated to the Christmas fair, leading to further questions about the legal basis for the attraction and its setup in the designated area.
The inquiry highlighted that a document referred to as the activity file might have implied authorization for an action at Mislata Freedom Square during a defined period, but it did not conclusively confirm the presence of a standalone operating license for the Christmas fairgrounds. The distinction between occupying public space and running the fair as a licensed activity became a key point of discussion, and the absence of a separate license raised concerns about compliance with municipal regulations and safety standards.
People Involved and Regulatory Oversight
The investigation identified several individuals connected to the fair, including an entertainer, a responsible engineer from the company, and another municipal engineer who contributed to the event’s oversight. The authorities examined whether supervision was conducted in person at the site or remotely, and how the engineers verified safety measures, installation integrity, and overall reliability. The evidence suggested that the individuals involved claimed to have carried out the installation and operation with attention to safety, sturdiness, stability, and security, but the precise level of direct oversight remained part of the inquiry.
The court also sought to understand the responsibility of the Council and the competent authorities in approving the setup. The party responsible for the official decree governing municipal entertainment regulations was reviewed, and the balance of obligations between the private company and the public authorities was assessed. The inquiry looked at whether the entities involved submitted the required statements to guarantee compliance with regulations and whether final assembly certificates were in place as part of the licensing process for the fairground attractions.
In the broader context, the discussion touched on how municipal and regional authorities enforce licensing and safety for events that use public spaces. The case underscored the importance of clear licensing channels, proper documentation, and consistent verification practices to ensure that family-oriented attractions operate within a solid legal and safety framework. It highlighted the need for robust coordination between city planning, industry service leadership, and the entities responsible for executing the event to protect visitors without stifling legitimate community events.
The evolving narrative shows a city grappling with administrative procedures and the public demand for accountability. The incident served as a turning point for how licensing for outdoor entertainment is documented, reviewed, and enacted to prevent gaps that could lead to tragedy. As investigators continue to assemble the facts, the emphasis remains on strengthening oversight, ensuring transparent licensing, and upholding the highest safety standards for all fairground activities in Mislata and comparable municipalities.