Victims of the residence describe their experience as horrific
Evaristo Saura, son of one of the 64 residents who died in the Fiella residence due to Covid-19, has indicated that he had a terrifying experience in the residence, describing it as ‘the house of horrors’. He underlined the ‘total lack of control’ that, according to reports from the prosecutor’s office and the Mossos, prevailed in the residence.
Saura has denounced the lack of communication on the part of the residence and has described an alarming situation in which her father was found ‘tied to the bed and covered with three blankets’ when he arrived at the centre. He has forcefully stated that the residents ‘were left to their fate’.
Lack of attention and tragic circumstances
Apart from Saura, seven other family members appeared before the Tremp court on Monday, all denouncing serious lack of care and precarious conditions at the Fiella residence. Among the issues pointed out, they highlighted the lack of water, food and care for the residents.
Saura has told how she was not informed of her father’s condition for days and how the first call she received was to inform her of his death. On leaving court, the family members demanded justice for the serious violations that took place in the residence.
Dantesque scenes recounted before the judge
The lawyer for the private prosecution, Xavier Prats, highlighted the relatives’ statements as ‘very clear’ to understand the critical situation experienced at the Fiella residence. He has described Dantesque scenes recounted before the judge, with relatives who had to enter alone, without control, and with the help of the light of the mobile phone, to look for their dead relatives in inappropriate rooms.
According to Prats, the complaints include calls for help in the corridors, a charged atmosphere, high temperatures and a ‘smell of death’. The families have also criticized the lack of communication on the part of the residence management, limiting themselves to using a WhatsApp group to report on the positive and negative cases of Covid-19, and little else.
Reaction of the Fiella-Sant Hospital de Tremp Foundation
In a statement issued during the night of Monday, the Fundació Fiella-Sant Hospital de Tremp has expressed its regret for the events described by the relatives before the court. However, they have noted that these occurred from November 28, 2020, when the residence was already under intervention by the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In addition, they have emphasized that since November 26, the Fiella Foundation was separated from the management of the center.
