Mossos d'Esquadra Deploy to Valencia After Devastating Floods

In the aftermath of the catastrophic floods caused by the 'gota fria' (cold drop) in the Valencia region, the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, have finally been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts. This deployment comes eight days after the disaster, following a period of significant delay and controversy.

Delayed Acceptance of Aid

The Generalitat Valenciana, led by President Carlos Mazón, initially refused the offer of support from the Mossos d'Esquadra and other emergency services from Catalonia. Instead, they accepted aid from emergency teams from the Community of Madrid and Asturias. However, 48 hours after the catastrophe, Mazón agreed to allow a team of firefighters from the Generalitat of Catalonia to assist in tasks such as vehicle excavation, accessibility, and water removal.

Deployment Details

On November 6, the Generalitat Valenciana finally accepted the support of the Mossos d'Esquadra. The police force has sent the head of the Canine Unit of the Central Support Operational Area, along with three dog handlers and three specialized dogs trained in searching for missing persons. These teams will participate in a coordination meeting with other emergency devices and will be assigned a specific area of work.

Criticism and Public Outcry

The delay in accepting aid has been heavily criticized, with the Autonomous Police Union (SAP-FEPOL) expressing frustration over the refusal of necessary assistance. The union emphasized the importance of accepting all available help, especially from professional security bodies like the Mossos d'Esquadra. Local residents have also complained about the insufficient emergency response, highlighting areas where no support units had appeared, and many people remained missing.

Human Toll and Government Response

The floods have resulted in a devastating human toll, with at least 213 deaths and 89 people reported missing, although initial reports suggested up to 1,900 missing persons. The Spanish government has declared the region a disaster zone and approved financial aid of €6,000 to each family affected by the floods. However, the government's handling of the emergency has been under intense scrutiny, with calls for Mazón's resignation and demands for an investigation into the emergency management.

Additional Support

In addition to the Mossos d'Esquadra, other emergency services from Catalonia, including firefighters and rural agents, have been mobilized to support the relief efforts. These include helicopters, inflatable boats, drones equipped with thermal cameras, and psychological support teams. Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire, with many areas still in need of significant support and many people yet to be found.

The deployment of the Mossos d'Esquadra marks a crucial step in the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in the Valencia region, but it also highlights the broader issues of emergency response and coordination that have been at the forefront of public debate in the wake of this tragedy.