Alberto Núñez Feijóo Testifies on Emergency Management During 2026 Valencia Dana Disaster

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, president of Spain's Partido Popular (PP), delivered a detailed testimony as a witness in the judicial inquiry into the emergency response during the devastating 2026 dana disaster in the Valencia province, which tragically claimed 230 lives. The testimony, conducted via videoconference before the court in Catarroja, lasted over five hours and included intense questioning about his communications with former Valencian president Carlos Mazón on the day of the flood and the subsequent management of the crisis.

Feijóo arrived early at the Congress of Deputies and expressed calmness and readiness to fulfill his duty, stating, “If I am called, I will attend.” His testimony was briefly delayed due to technical connection issues between the Congress and the court.

During the session, socialist lawyer Manolo Mata attempted to politically corner Feijóo with probing questions about a government crisis following the emergency, trying to link the disaster's response to political shortcomings and a reshuffle triggered after the event. Mata also compared these floods with prior flooding in Galicia, insinuating a lack of accountability from Feijóo during those earlier incidents. However, Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra intervened multiple times to limit irrelevant or politically motivated queries, emphasizing their lack of pertinence to the ongoing case.

Feijóo refuted claims that he mishandled the emergency, emphasizing that the situations in Galicia did not necessitate supra-autonomous resources as Valencia’s disaster did, implying a more complex emergency requiring concerted efforts. Throughout the hearing, Feijóo conveyed his surprise at being summoned before other officials more directly responsible for emergency management but remained cooperative in responding to all questions.

This testimony is a significant moment in the judicial proceedings investigating the tragic disaster’s management and highlights ongoing political tensions as the inquiry delves into accountability for one of Spain’s deadliest natural catastrophes in recent years.