Spain’s King and Queen pelted with mud during visit to flood-ravaged Valencia

The floods have claimed over 200 lives, with emergency workers still combing through submerged areas in hopes of finding survivors. Many Valencians are outraged, feeling the government didn’t provide adequate warnings or support before and after the flood.

Amid the growing hostility, security forces quickly evacuated Prime Minister Sánchez after stones and other objects were reportedly thrown at his vehicle. As he left, the crowd shouted, “Where is Sánchez?” expressing frustration at what they see as a lack of timely government support.

Spain’s Queen Letizia speaks with people affected by the floods after crowd of angry survivors of Spain’s floods tossed mud and shouted insults at the Spain’s King Felipe and government officials when they made their first visit to one of the hardest hit towns. (AP photo)

One teenage resident, 16-year-old Pau, shared his distress with reporters: “We’re helping, and people are still dying. I can’t stand this anymore.” Another woman, on the brink of tears, lamented, “They left us to die. We’ve lost everything: our businesses, our homes, our dreams.”

Due to the rising tension, plans to visit another flood-ravaged town, Chiva, were postponed.

Later, the king expressed understanding of the anger in a video statement, saying he empathised with the “frustration and desperation” people are feeling. Paiporta’s mayor, Maribel Albalat, acknowledged the public’s anger, calling the violence shocking but understandable given the devastation.

Amid the growing hostility, security forces quickly evacuated Prime Minister Sánchez after stones and other objects were reportedly thrown at his vehicle. (AP photo)

Valencian parliament member Juan Bordera criticised the timing of the royal visit, describing it as “a very bad decision” and adding, “It’s logical that people are angry.”

The floods began after days of torrential rain, with waters sweeping through bridges and buildings, leaving many communities without essential supplies and services. More storms are predicted, with Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, issuing a high alert for more rainfall, though it’s expected to be less severe than Tuesday’s deluge.

In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Sánchez has deployed 10,000 additional troops, police, and civil guards to assist in Valencia, calling it the largest peacetime deployment in Spain’s history. He acknowledged that this response may still be insufficient, recognizing “severe problems and shortages” in the wake of the disaster.

(With inputs from BBC)

From the homepage

How the Karur stampede unfolded and a big question: What next for Vijay?

Asia Cup, IND-PAK final: Beyond bitterness on field, a tale of two superfans Sudhir and Chacha – ‘Will end with a hug, no matter who wins’

Pakistan’s response to EAM Jaishankar an admission of longstanding practice of terrorism: India at UN