Good morning! Here is your news update for Thursday, 17 April. Semana Santa Marinera processions will be happening this weekend. Learn more about the city’s unique Easter traditions in this feature: Semana Santa Marinera: Valencia’s Unique Maritime Holy Week
Weather Alert
The national weather agency Aemet has issued a warning for strong winds up to 80 km/h and an increased risk of forest fires in the coming days.
Las Provincias: Alert for strong winds and fire risk
Politics in Valencia
The investigation into last October’s devastating flood continues. A court has ruled that the inquiry will focus exclusively on the Valencian government’s responsibility, not the national administration.
New revelations have emerged around a flurry of calls made by former Interior Minister Salomé Pradas, including a critical call from Generalitat President Carlos Mazón on the day of the disaster.
- El País: Judge rules out national probe, focuses on Generalitat
- Valencia Plaza: Pradas confirms seven calls with Mazón
Meanwhile, Pilar Bernabé has announced her candidacy for mayor in 2027 as the Socialist Party’s nominee.
El Español: Socialists position Bernabé for a comeback
Flood Recovery
In response to the deadly floods, Mayor María José Catalá has ordered a new flood prevention plan for the city.
Levante: New South Plan in the works
Red Cross volunteers continue to clean the Albufera rice-growing lagoon by hand to trawl for trash and debris left by the flood.
Levante: Cleaning the Albufera by hand
Housing and Urban Development
Valencia City Council must return €469,000 in state housing aid after failing to justify expenses meant to support vulnerable groups.
Valencia Plaza: City loses emergency housing funds
In Cabanyal, residents are grappling with a double crisis: rising gentrification and an uptick in illegal home occupations.
Levante: Occupations and gentrification in Cabanyal
In Ruzafa, neighbors are preparing a legal complaint against motorcycle noise and all-night parties that have disrupted weekends.
Las Provincias: Ruzafa vs. noise pollution
Renovations at the historic El Grao Market will include new dining terraces and a stage for live performances.
Levante: El Grao to be transformed
A new housing plan for Campanar and Beniferri will see more low-build homes rather than apartment blocks in a rethinking of urban space.
Las Provincis: Beniferri reduces building heights
Crime and Corruption
A man known as the “Front Door Rapist” has been arrested after a string of assaults on women.
Las Provincias: How police caught the suspect
Authorities are moving to dismantle the Faitanar shantytown, which came to light during the floods. The action follows investigations into the conditions of six minors living at the site.
Levante: Legal and social pressure mounts on Faitanar
Climate and Environment
Business leaders in Valencia are urging the government to extend operations of the Cofrentes nuclear power plant beyond its scheduled closure in 2030, citing risks to the region’s energy supply.
Valencia Plaza: Cofrentes debate continues
The mystery of swan deaths in Jardines de Viveros has been solved. According to veterinarians, one swan died of grief after losing its mate.
Las Provincias: The swan that died of sorrow
A Netflix show featuring a bird-watching detective has prompted interest in Valencia’s rich bird-watching areas.
Las Provincias: Bird-watchers flock to see Valencia’s 300+ bird species
Dead jellyfish have started to wash up on Malvarrosa beach, signaling the start of the jellyfish season.
Levante: Jellyfish arrive at Valencia beaches
Semana Santa
Valencia’s Semana Santa Marinera stands apart from other Holy Week celebrations in Spain, with maritime traditions and processions that enter private homes.
Las Provincias: The fervor of Semana Santa Marinera
In Torrevieja, an English-speaking brotherhood has been participating in Holy Week processions for nearly 20 years.
A Punt: The English Brotherhood in Torrevieja