The Ribadelago Catastrophe: An Unforgettable Tragedy
The Ribadelago catastrophe occurred in the early hours of January 9, 1959, when the Vega de Tera dam collapsed, releasing nearly 8 million cubic meters of water that flooded the village of Ribadelago in Zamora, Spain. This tragic event resulted in the death of 144 of the village’s 532 inhabitants, marking one of the most devastating dam failures in Spanish history.
Background #
The Vega de Tera dam was part of the hydroelectric system known as the Moncabril jump, built by the company Hidroeléctrica Moncabril. This system included several artificial lakes and canals intended for hydroelectric power generation. However, the dam’s structural deficiencies, coupled with poor construction quality, set the stage for the disaster.
The Disaster #
On the fateful night of January 9, a section of over 150 meters of the dam’s retaining wall collapsed. The resulting water surge rapidly advanced through the valley, reaching the village of Ribadelago, located eight kilometers downstream, within minutes. Residents had barely enough time to react to the deafening roar of the breach before the water swept them away. Most of the buildings were destroyed, and only 28 bodies were recovered out of the 144 missing people, many of whom were swept into Lake Sanabria.
Causes of the Disaster #
Subsequent investigations revealed that the catastrophe was the result of serious deficiencies in the dam’s construction. Consultant Ricardo Fernández Cuevas, tasked with analyzing the causes, concluded that the breach was due to a superficial foundation and the poor quality of the underlying rock. Specifically, the dam’s buttresses, which should have provided structural support, were poorly secured and unable to withstand the accumulated water pressure.
Consequences #
The Ribadelago tragedy not only caused a huge loss of life but also triggered a widespread movement of solidarity both nationally and internationally. Millions of pesetas were raised in donations, including funds from a charity football match between players from Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Fortuna Düsseldorf. However, many of the promised indemnities never reached the victims or their families.
Legally, the trial for the catastrophe was held in March 1963 in Zamora. Hidroeléctrica Moncabril, the responsible company, was sentenced to pay 19,378,732 pesetas (around €116,468.52), while several of its engineers and experts were sentenced to one year of minor imprisonment for reckless negligence. Despite this, many of the convicted were later acquitted or pardoned.
The catastrophe also had repercussions for dam regulations in Spain. In 1962, the “Instruction for the Design, Construction and Operation of Large Dams” was approved, and the “Dam Surveillance Service” was established to ensure the safety and compliance with new regulations.
Reconstruction and Legacy #
After the disaster, the Spanish government, under the Franco dictatorship, decided to build a new village to relocate the survivors, initially known as Ribadelago de Franco, and later simply Ribadelago Nuevo. This was located one kilometer southeast of the original Ribadelago, now known as Ribadelago Viejo. The Vega de Tera dam was abandoned, its ruins remain as a grim reminder of the disaster.
The Ribadelago catastrophe left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the region and Spain in general. Not only because of the magnitude of the tragedy, but also because of the demonstration of solidarity that followed. Today, Ribadelago is a place of memory and reflection, remembering both the victims and the mistakes that led to this tragic event.