Victim associations from the Valencia metro accident and the DANA disaster have joined forces on the twentieth anniversary of the rail tragedy, emphasizing that both catastrophes could have been prevented. The Association of victims of the July 3rd metro (Avm3j) organized an event at the same location where 43 people lost their lives and 230 were injured twenty years ago, with the participation of three DANA victim associations, who suffered a similar tragedy on October 29, 2024.
Rosa Garrote, president of Avm3j, highlighted the unity between the victims and their new travel companions, stressing the need to know the truth and understand why their loved ones died. She recalled that the metro accident could have been avoided with a simple braking beacon and the DANA tragedy with an alert a few hours earlier.
The event, held at the 'Prime Time' monument by artist Anja Krakowski, was attended by numerous political representatives, including for the first time a Popular Party Transport counselor, Vicente Martínez Mus, and members of his team, as well as councilors from the Valencian city council. Other politicians who have consistently attended in previous years were also present, such as Minister Diana Morant and representatives from Compromís and PSPV.
The victims denounced the "disastrous subsequent management" and the "indifference" of the rulers, accusing them of politicizing their cause and attributing hidden interests. They reiterated that their sole intention is for responsibilities to be clarified and for such events not to happen again.
Avm3j reaches this anniversary with a court ruling that confirmed the accident's predictability and avoidability, a legacy that has improved rail safety and victim support. The restoration of the monument, owned by the Valencia City Council, is another achievement. The "only shadow" is knowing that new families are suffering the same pain.
