Residents erupted in anger asQueen LetiziaandKing Felipe VIvisitedSpain’s flood-ravaged town of Valencia.
The royals were greeted with heckles, mud, and shouts of “murderer” and “shame” on Sunday, November 3.
More than 200 lives were lost in the most devastating floods thecountryhas seen in about three decades. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue and recovery operations continue.
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Spanish residents expressed outrage during Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI’s visit to the flood-ravaged town
Image credits:Rober Solsona/Europa Press
Anger has been mounting in the country over what many saw as a delayed warning from officials.
Residents have questioned why alerts to stay indoors only came afterfloodwaters surgedlast week.
As King Felipe and Queen Letizia, 52, walked through the badly-hit town of Paiporta, protesters pelted them with mud and other objects, reflecting the community’s frustration.
The region is reeling from the worst floods in about three decades, which have claimed more than 200 lives
Image credits:Abaca Press / Vida Press
The 56-year-old Spanish King serves as the head of state but has no political power, much like his British counterpart,Prince Charles.
It is the elected government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, that holds authority and governs the country’s daily affairs.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also had objects thrown at him during his visit and was quickly evacuated as the crowd grew hostile.
Shouts of “murderer” and “shame” were heard as the Spanish royals walked through the street
Image credits:Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images
“What were they expecting?” an outraged local wasquotedas telling the newspaperEl País. “People are very angry. Pedro Sánchez should have been here on day one with a shovel.”
Frustrated residents expressed their disappointment with authorities forleaving them “to die.”
“I’m just 16,” a tearful boy named Pau told theBBC. “We’re helping–and the leaders do nothing. People are still dying. I can’t stand this anymore.”
Tense scenes as locals throw mud towards Spain’s King Felipe as he visits flood-ravaged Paiporta, Valencia.
Security officials held up umbrellas for the for the royals and officials to project them from the flying objects, while the crowd yelled insults such as “murderers!”.pic.twitter.com/N7SRWpGfn4
— NoComment (@nocomment)November 3, 2024
“They left us to die,” another woman told the outlet. “We’ve lost everything: our businesses, our homes, our dreams.”
Mayors from affected municipalities like Aldaia also urged officials to do more to help.
“We’re very angry and we’re devastated,” said Aldaia’s mayor, Guillermo Luján. “We have atown in ruins. We need to start over and I’m begging for help. Please help us.”
“One has to understand the anger and frustration of many people given all that they have gone through,” King Felipe said after the visit
Stones and mud were thrown at the Spanish King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Sanchez During their visit to flood-hit Valencia,
Residents, angry at the authorities’ slow response to the disaster, threw mud and stones, shouting: “Get out!”, “Murderers!”pic.twitter.com/gRXySLEMUo
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay)November 3, 2024
Hours after his visit, King Felipe seemed to address the situation in Paiporta in a video, speaking to officials.
“One has to understand the anger and frustration of many people given all that they have gone through, as well as the difficulty in understanding how all the mechanisms work when it comes to theemergency operations,” he said.
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