Spanish King, PM assaulted by public with mud, stones on visit to flood-hit areas | VIDEO

World News: As Spain continues grappling with the catastrophic floods that have claimed more than 200 lives, public outrage against officials has surged. The flood-hit regions, especially Valencia, have been devastated, and many residents feel abandoned by both regional and national authorities. The recent visit by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Spain’s royal family to the affected areas sparked fierce backlash, with angry residents hurling mud and insults at officials, shouting accusations of negligence and abandonment.

Officials face public fury during visit to flooded towns

On a visit to the hard-hit municipality of Paiporta, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, along with King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and Valencia’s regional leader, faced hostile crowds. Hundreds of local residents, frustrated and grieving, heckled the officials, shouting "murderers" as they attempted to inspect the damage. The anger reflects the escalating frustration over the government’s slow response, especially given the late arrival of an alert advising residents to stay indoors—only after the floods had begun ravaging towns.

In the aftermath, officials pledged to improve support efforts. Sanchez admitted, “I’m aware that the response we’re mounting isn’t enough. I know there are severe problems and shortages,” adding that 10,000 troops and police would be deployed to assist in recovery.

Communities struggle amid unimaginable losses

In the town of Aldaia, Mayor Guillermo Luján pleaded for help, noting that the devastation has left the town in ruins. With debris, vehicles, and wreckage piled across the streets, residents are struggling to regain a sense of normalcy. “We’re very angry and we’re devastated. We need to start over, and I’m begging for help,” Luján said.

BREAKING:

The Spanish people are furious with Prime Minister Sanchez after having been abandoned by the authorities during and after the recent flooding disaster that has claimed more than 200 lives.

As he visited the flooded areas today, the people chased him & his team away. pic.twitter.com/JaPqu3PquU

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 3, 2024

Another severely affected area, Paiporta, has seen at least 70 deaths. Mayor Maribel Albalat described the destruction as “heartbreaking,” with parts of the town remaining inaccessible due to blocked streets and submerged vehicles. Albalat explained, “It’s impossible because there are bodies, there are vehicles with bodies, and these have to be removed.”

Desperate calls for assistance in surrounding regions

In nearby towns like Alfafar and Sedaví, residents are taking recovery into their own hands as they attempt to clear mud and debris from their homes. Basic services like electricity and phone networks are still unstable in some areas. Despite limited resources, thousands of volunteers from lesser-affected regions have shown solidarity, arriving with shovels, brooms, and essential supplies.

BREAKING: King of Spain attacked by angry people while visiting the disaster area in Valencia pic.twitter.com/fE8K1HQI12

— AlexandruC4 (@AlexandruC4) November 3, 2024

The mayor of Chiva, Amparo Fort, called the experience a “rollercoaster” for her town’s 17,000 residents, but noted that the influx of young volunteers brought a sense of hope amidst the devastation. “There is a real, human wave of volunteers,” she said.

Acknowledging the failures

In his statements, Prime Minister Sanchez acknowledged the gaps in the government’s response, recognizing the need for a more robust approach to prevent further tragedies. “We have to do better and give it our all,” he stated. As Spain mobilizes more resources to aid the affected communities, the government faces pressure to act quickly and decisively to address the needs of its grieving citizens.