Spaniard Flood Disaster Manpower Controversy Spreads...Emergency disaster text in 12 hours

Controversy is growing over the belated response, with emergency disaster safety texts confirmed to have been sent in 12 hours during Spain's flood disaster, which killed more than 200 people.

The Washington Post reported that it took about 12 hours for emergency texts to be sent to residents in the area from the time the Spanish Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain "red alert."

The Spanish Meteorological Agency upgraded the heavy rain warning at 7 a.m. on the 29th of last month, but the first emergency text message was sent to residents after 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Valencia Emergency Response Center has spread a message to watch out for heavy rain only through social media (SNS).

A Valencia resident told local media that he was only told to evacuate on his phone after floodwaters hit his car and submerged his neck.

Some criticize that the content of the emergency text was also too ambiguous.

The first emergency text, sent at 8 p.m., reportedly contained only a simple "avoid any kind of movement" and had no specific instructions.

The Washington Post pointed out that questions are being raised as to why it took officials 12 hours to send text messages after the red alert was issued.