04.07.2014 - 10:49
The Mare de Déu square in Valencia filled up once again yesterday, on the eighth anniversary of Valencia’s subway accident, one of the most serious in all of Europe, which left 43 dead and 47 wounded. Family members and friends demanded answers, political responsibility, and justice.
The gathering began with a performance by the muixerangues (Valencian tower builders) from Valencia, Camp de Túria, Algemesí, Cullera, Sueca and Castelló, accompanied by drums and flutes (dolçaina).
Next, the demonstrators held a five-minute silence, after which there was a round of applause. One of those wounded in the accident read a manifesto in which he remembered the suffering that he had to go through because of the tragedy, for which “we are still looking for answers”. He recalled that the official version of the events blamed the driver, who was killed when the train went off the tracks, and that the investigation had been manipulated. The AVM3J advocacy group once again demanded a new investigation to find out the causes of the accident and find out if the security measures had failed, or if there was something wrong with the train car or the rails.
Family members, for example, ask how the Valencian Government has never questioned the management of the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (Transportation Authority) and how it is that data from the derailed train’s black box was erased.
“Now it’s time for the politicians to act. While they are talking about rulings, we are talking about morals.” These were the last words of the manifesto, read as people shouted, “Fabra, resign!” Alberto Fabra is the president of the Valencian Government.
At midday, an homage to the victims was made in the gardens at the intersection of Sant Vicent with Roís de Corella, just above the curve where the accident took place. One by one, the family members lay flowers on the railing around the gardens: forty-three black flowers and forty-seven yellow ones. In the middle of the planting, there were crowns of flowers and bouquets dedicated to the family members. A group of musicians played “Secret People”, by Robert Gherard, in memory of the victims.
The family members don’t accept the official version of the events, and believe that there are additional causes besides the excess speed, and more people guilty besides the driver. The Associació de Víctimes del Metro 3 de Juliol (Association of July 3 Subway Accident Victims, AVM3J) denounced irregularities in the investigatory committee and said that members of the committee had been coached on their testimony.
With this year’s anniversary, there is news that may help clear up the facts: the Valencia Court has confirmed that legal investigations will be opened up, and three technicians from the Transportation Authority (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana) will be called to testify.
AVM3J’s spokesperson, Beatriz Garrote said in a recent interview with ACN that this case must serve to show just what should not happen when there is a tragedy.
