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In a heart-wrenching conclusion to a desperate search, the bodies of four prominent businessmen who went missing during the devastating DANA (Deep Convection, Heavy precipitation, and No large-scale Ascension) storm that hit Valencia on October 29, 2024, have been found.

The Victims

The four men, all closely associated with Juan Roig, the president of the supermarket chain Mercadona, were identified as Miguel Burdeos, Vicente Tarancón, José Luis Marín, and Antonio Noblejas.

Miguel Burdeos

Miguel Burdeos, 74, was the president of SPB, a company that supplies Mercadona with products under the brands Bosque Verde and Deliplus. He was also a key figure in various industry associations, including the Association of Chemical Industries of the Valencian Community (QUIMACOVA) and the Association of Detergent and Cleaning Products Companies (ADELMA). Burdeos was instrumental in promoting responsible, innovative, and sustainable practices in the industry.

Vicente Tarancón

Vicente Tarancón, 72, was the founder of Luanvi, a renowned Spanish sports apparel brand that has outfitted teams such as Valencia CF, Villarreal, and Zaragoza. Tarancón co-founded Luanvi in the early 1970s with his brothers.

José Luis Marín

José Luis Marín, whose age was reported differently but confirmed to be associated with the educational sector, was the proprietor of the Mas Camarena schools, part of the Siglo XXI educational group. He founded the Centro Escolar Marni in 1962, which has since expanded to include several schools and educational centers.

Antonio Noblejas

Antonio Noblejas, 76, was an economist and former director general of the EDEM business school. His body was the last to be found, on November 18, near the barranco del Poyo in the municipality of Riba-roja.

The Incident

The four businessmen had gathered for lunch at the La Orza de Ángel restaurant in Chiva on October 29. As they were leaving, they were caught in the torrential rains and flash flooding caused by the DANA storm. The last contact with them was around 5:30 PM, and despite extensive search efforts, their bodies were only recently recovered.

Search and Recovery

The bodies of Miguel Burdeos, Vicente Tarancón, and José Luis Marín were found first, with Burdeos and Tarancón identified as victims of the devastating floodwaters. The search for Antonio Noblejas continued until his body was discovered on November 18 by the Grupo de Reserva y Seguridad (GRS) and the Grupo de Rescate Especial de Intervención en Montaña (GREIM).

Impact and Tributes

The loss of these four men has sent shockwaves through the business community in Valencia. They were all highly respected for their contributions to their respective industries and their commitment to sustainable and innovative practices. The community has come together to pay tribute to their memory, highlighting their dedication, generosity, and leadership.

The DANA storm has claimed 219 lives in the Valencia region, with 11 people still reported missing as of the latest official update. The tragedy has underscored the devastating impact of extreme weather events and the importance of community resilience in the face of such disasters.