Survivors of this week’s floods in Spain vented their anger at Spain’s political leaders during a visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to the city most bereaved by the tragedy, which left at least 217 dead.
“Assassins! assassins!“, shouted the crowd gathered in Paiporta (a suburb of Valencia) against the socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the right-wing president of the Valencia region Carlos Mazón, throwing mud and various objects at the procession. City of approximately 25,000 inhabitants, Paiporta, where at least 62 deaths have been recorded, is the locality most bereaved by the tragedy.
In the midst of extreme tension, the sovereigns, who were not targeted, received mud on their faces and on their clothes, an unprecedented situation in the entire history of the Spanish monarchy. Impassive and dignified throughout this extraordinary episode, they stayed there for about an hour to talk to residents and try to calm their anger before leaving.
For their part, Pedro Sánchez and Carlos Mázon quickly left the scene, evacuated by protection services visibly very worried by what looked like a riot scene.
The visit of the sovereigns should normally continue to Chiva, 17,000 inhabitants, another town near Valencia hard hit by the tragedy. However, according to Spanish national television, this visit is, for the moment, suspended.
The hostility was in fact directed against Pedro Sánchez and Carlos Mazón, under fire from criticism since the floods that occurred overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday in the region. “Mazón resignation!“, demanded residents, who uttered insults and sang songs demanding “where is Pedro Sánchez?“
The Valencia government is in the hot seat for sending a very late telephone alert message to residents on Tuesday evening, even though the weather services had placed the region on “red alert” in the morning. The authorities are also criticized for the lack of responsiveness in helping residents.
Pedro Sanchez reacts
The Spanish Prime Minister recognizes the “anguish and suffering“of the victims, but condemns”any type of violence“.
Floods in Spain Floods Spain Valencia
