Shoppers have criticised scenes of chaos after the La Cañada shopping centre was effectively evacuated following Sunday’s red weather alert.
The message from the Civil Protection service warned of intense rain and floods and advised against all unnecessary travel.
Immediately afterwards, both La Cañada and the Plaza Mayor shopping centre (Malaga) decided to close all its stores.
This, witnesses said, sparked a mass exodus as hundreds of people rushed to their cars at the same time.
Michele Yanez-Bowker wrote on a Facebook forum: ‘Today in La Cañada we received a weather warning alert, along with everyone else in the region and the shops immediately closed.
‘People who were already safely inside the shopping centre were then compelled to leave and venture back out into the weather, which, incidentally, was no different from when we arrived.
‘What followed was complete gridlock as everyone tried to leave at the same time. The police arrived about 30 minutes later and all stood or sat at the same roundabout. Eventually they stopped more cars from entering the car park, but surely closing access should have been the very first step.’
She added: ‘It took us over an hour just to vacate the area. If there had been a genuine threat to life, I hate to think how many of us would have been boxed in with no way out.
‘I would like to believe that before these alerts are sent, authorities are already deployed to high-density areas and large gatherings to manage the situation properly, but I very much doubt this is happening.
‘Have lessons really been learned from Valencia? I fear not. Sending an alert may reduce liability, but without proper on-the-ground coordination it may actually increase risk.’
Many commenters agreed with the post, saying it is not the first time such incidences have occurred.
One replied: ‘You are absolutely right! Last time this happened, on the 27th of December, we were in a sports arena in Malaga, enjoying a concert. Just before the half time break every phone light up with the alert and the 2nd part of the show was cancelled, following the orders of the Junta.
‘As a result, about 2000 people had to leave the perfectly safe and dry building, get to their cars in torrential rain and wind and – somehow – drive home. We live in Mijas, it was really not fun to drive on the AP7 in those conditions. By the time we got home, the storm calmed down. Not a smart move, to send people out in that weather.’
However, others said people knew the risks when they decided to go shopping despite there being an orange alert in place (which was later upgraded to red).
‘All of the town halls, local news sites, and groups had been posting weather advice since Friday, not to go out if you can avoid it,’ said one.
The red alert was awkward timing for those carrying out last-minute Christmas shopping.
In Spain, families exchange gifts on January 6, which is a national holiday known as Three Kings’ Day (or the Epiphany).
It is why most shops were open on Sunday, January 5, to allow parents and loved ones to get those last-minute gifts in.
However, when the red alert was sent to phones across the Costa del Sol region, many stores immediately asked customers to leave and began to close.
One video shared on TikTok showed the moment shoppers at the La Cañada centre in Marbella all received the alert at the same time.
Friends could be seen gathering around phones to read the warning.
The red alert message sent to phones read: ‘Civil Protection Alert: Red alert activated – In this situation: exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel.
‘Do not cross flood-prone areas and respect road closures. Do not carry out activities in or near riverbeds.
‘If you are in a flood-prone area, seek higher ground or go to an upper floor.
‘Consult the recommendations of 112 Extraordinary Risk – due to rain.’
Read more Costa del Sol news at the Spanish Eye.
