The serious consequences of the DANA that hit Valencia on October 29th continue to leave a tragic toll. As of today, there are 89 active missing persons cases, according to the Data Integration Center (CID). These figures reflect only those cases in which relatives have provided personal details and biological samples to facilitate the identification process, which suggests that there could be more cases without a formal complaint. Coordination for the identification of the deceased and missing is carried out by specialized offices of the National Police and the Civil Guard in collaboration with forensic teams. The work is overseen by the CID, which has the role of centralizing forensic medical and forensic police reports in multi-victim events, in accordance with Royal Decree 32/2009.
View this post on Instagram
To date, 195 autopsies have been performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML) in Valencia, and of these, 133 bodies have already been identified. In this process, fingerprint analysis has been the key tool for 119 of the identifications, while another 14 have been possible thanks to the matching of DNA samples. However, 62 deceased are still awaiting identification, which maintains uncertainty for many families. To assist in the identification process, relatives of missing persons can provide everything from photographs and physical descriptions to personal items to help create a genetic profile. In this regard, the contribution of biological samples from immediate family members is essential to facilitate DNA analysis. Ante mortem offices are set up at the Civil Guard Headquarters in Patraix and at the Police Headquarters on Gran Vía Ramón y Cajal, in Valencia, and there are also mobile offices in Albal, Alfafar and Algemesí to avoid the need for those affected to travel.
Advances in indemnity payments by the Insurance Compensation Consortium
While the identification of victims and the search for missing persons is progressing, the Insurance Compensation Consortium has initiated the management of compensation for those affected by the hurricane. So far, the consortium has received more than 70,000 applications and has mobilized 495 experts to assess the damage in the affected areas. The first compensations, which will begin to be paid this week, will be 20% higher than the appraised value of the damaged vehicles, a measure to mitigate the losses of the victims. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has announced that the Consortium’s expenses will reach a record figure of 3,500 million Euros. In addition, the Government has approved an aid package valued at 10.6 billion to support the recovery of those affected by the disaster. To be eligible for compensation, those affected must have an insurance policy in force and the premium paid. The Consortium covers damage to insured property, such as homes, vehicles and businesses, as well as losses due to economic inactivity caused by the damage. Claims for compensation can be made through the Consorcio’s website or through insurance agents, and it is recommended that interested parties contact their insurer to expedite the process. With this panorama of uncertainty and recovery, the families of the missing remain hopeful of receiving news, while authorities and forensic experts work intensely to respond to the magnitude of this tragedy.
