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Date Published: 04/11/2024

King, Queen and PM of Spain attacked during visit to flood-hit Valencia

Demonstrators protested against the royal and governmental response to the flood disaster

Y a partir de ahi, todo lo que cuente lo habéis visto ya en televisión, por lo que poca información puedo aportar de más.
Eso si, me he llevado una pedrada en la cara, que todavía sigo sin entender como no tengo una brecha en el pómulo. pic.twitter.com/APg85Xjyas
— luisbaguena (@luisbaguena) November 3, 2024

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Valencian Community Carlos Mazón, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia faced an angry reception during a visit to the flood-stricken town of Paiporta, Valencia this Sunday November 3, where residents and volunteer workers hurled mud and objects at the royal couple and accompanying officials over the lack of official action and help delivered to the area.

As the devastation from Spain's worst floods in decades continues to unfold, tensions are rising over the government's response and the perceived lack of timely support.

The royal visit was intended to show solidarity with affected communities, but instead sparked outcry. As King Felipe and Queen Letizia walked through the flood-ravaged streets of Paiporta, locals shouted "murderer" and "shame," expressing frustration over the government's actions.

Despite being visibly muddied, the king and queen engaged with some residents, offering gestures of comfort to the distressed crowd. However, security soon became overwhelmed by the growing number of protesters.

Footage captured the chaos as mud and other objects were hurled towards the royal delegation. Sánchez and Mazón were swiftly evacuated after objects were thrown at Sánchez's car and it was attacked with bats.

Tras atender las peticiones de los vecinos de Paiporta, el Presidente del Gobierno de España toma nota y decide irse tranquilamente entre vítores, aplausos y todo tipo de ofrendas. pic.twitter.com/5uhmLdXmb4
— MΛRC VIDΛL (@marcvidal) November 3, 2024

With the official death toll now at 214 and more feared missing, search and rescue teams continue combing through mud-filled streets, tunnels and underground car parks. Emergency workers face a race against time to locate survivors in areas cut off from essential resources, even as the alerts for adverse weather continue in the area.

The first corpses have been found in the Mediterranean which were swept out to sea by the flash floods.

The flooding, which began following heavy rains on Tuesday, has left some communities isolated and without access to food, water and electricity.

Following the protests, King Felipe addressed the public, stating he understood the "anger and frustration" of those affected. The mayor of Paiporta, Maribel Albalat, echoed these sentiments, expressing shock at the violence but noting the community's desperation.

Meanwhile, Valencian parliament member Juan Bordera criticised the timing of the royal visit, calling it "a very bad decision" and accusing officials of ignoring early warnings about the flood risk.

Even before this Sunday's visit, Sánchez had announced the deployment of 10,000 additional troops to the area, describing it as Spain's largest peacetime mobilisation. While acknowledging the public's dissatisfaction, Sánchez conceded that the response faced "severe problems and shortages".

Authorities say they are working to address these issues as Valencia braces for further storms, though the upcoming rainfall is not expected to match last Tuesday's severity.

King Charles III has sent a letter to Felipe VI, who is a distant cousin of his, saying he was "utterly heartbroken to learn of the destruction and devastation".

"So many in the United Kingdom have strong, personal ties to Spain, and our nations are bound by so much that we have in common," he wrote in the letter, which was shared on social media by the British Embassy in Madrid. "We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and to the people of Spain for the tragic loss of so many lives."

In Paiporta alone, the devastation has been immense, with at least 62 lives lost. Volunteer efforts have surged across affected areas, as thousands equipped with mops, buckets, and brooms work to clean up streets filled with mud and debris.

In a demonstration of resilience, local communities have taken the lead in recovery efforts, even as they express frustration with the official response.

Across the rest of Spain, communities have been raising money and collecting much-needed non-perishable supplies to be delivered to those affected by the flooding, showing a firm communal volunteer spirit.

Image: Casa de S.M. el Rey

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