Valencia's High Court has rejected a bid to indict former regional president Carlos Mazon for allegedly mismanaging the 2024 floods that killed hundreds of people.

The court ruled Monday that there was no evidence Mazon violated emergency management laws.

The October 29, 2024, floods killed 230 people and destroyed thousands of homes along Spain's Mediterranean coast, becoming Spain's deadliest natural disaster in decades.

Mazon resigned on November 3 last year under pressure from across the political spectrum but remains under scrutiny.

Option for future prosecution still open

Investigating judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra had argued that Mazon should be charged with negligence, saying his decision to withdraw to a private dining room during the crisis was "a decisive factor in the deadly human toll."

The High Court, however, said there was no "solid, objective basis" to accuse him of any criminal wrongdoing and found the conduct outlined in Tobarra's report did not "constitute a crime."

Tobarra may continue her inquiry and submit future prosecution requests.

Edited by: Alex Berry