In brief
"In the aftermath of severe floods in Valencia, the Matías family faces irreparable loss as five-year-old Izan and three-year-old Rubén remain missing. Their father, Victor Matías, recounts a chaotic night where his attempts to protect his sons turned tragic, drawing attention to the devastating impact of the flooding that has claimed at least 219 lives and left many mourning in despair."
In Valencia, the tragedy that unfolded on an otherwise normal evening reflects the heartbreaking reality for the Matías family. Victor Matías had left work early, bracing for the storm as rain pounded down on October 29. The plan was simple: pick up his two sons from nursery and prepare their favorite dish - croquetas. Five-year-old Izan and three-year-old Rubén, described by their aunt Barbara as “such happy kids,” would soon nestle into their safe haven at home.As the deluge intensified, what began as a routine evening spiraled into chaos. The floodwaters rose rapidly, and the family home in La Curra was soon overwhelmed. Neighbors and family pieced together the sequence of devastation that left Victor clinging to a tree, separated from his children in a matter of moments. Tragically, Izan and Rubén have been missing since that night.The horrifying effects of the storm were evident as we visited the Matías home, now engulfed in destruction under the weight of water and debris. Testimonies from witnesses told of how the floodwaters tore through the family’s refuge, dismantling lives and dreams in seconds. Viewpoints vary on what led to the magnitude of the disaster, with neighboring residents observing the involvement of trucks and the power of nature in the relentless torrents that swept through their community. As the search for the boys continues, frustrations mount over a perceived lack of timely alerts, leaving many to wonder if better communication could have altered this tragic outcome.The entire neighborhood came together in a desperate effort to locate the boys, as their families, alongside rescue teams, scoured the surrounding area. The weight of community grief is palpable, with reminders of the lost lives intensifying the pain felt across Valencia.For Marta, the boys' mother, life was punctured by an unimaginable reality. She had gone to work, trusting that Victor would keep their sons safe. Instead, as dawn broke, she faced the unthinkable - her children had been swept away. As the search remains ongoing and the flood recovery unfolds, the pain of loss remains raw for the Matías family. The words of Victor's mother, Antonia María, capture it best: her son’s life has “turned to dust.” In the days that follow, the community stands in solidarity with the Matías family, yearning for answers while grappling with the staggering silence left by Izan and Rubén.
