King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain faced an unexpectedly hostile reception during their visit to the flood-stricken town of Paiporta, Valencia, on Sunday, November 3. The royal couple, accompanied by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other officials, intended to show support and assess the situation on the ground following catastrophic flooding. However, tensions flared as angry residents hurled mud at them, and umbrellas proved insufficient to shield the royals from the barrage. Locals directed verbal insults, including accusations of being “murderers,” towards the king and queen as they tried to speak to the crowd.

The residents’ fury was largely aimed at political figures, particularly Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Valencia region leader Carlos Mazon. Shouts of “Mazon resign! How many deaths?! Out!” echoed through the devastated streets as the community grappled with grief and frustration. The death toll has surpassed 200, making the floods among the deadliest in Europe this century. Paiporta, one of the hardest-hit areas, has witnessed immense loss, leaving many searching for missing relatives amid the mud and debris.

A disaster of historic proportions

Prime Minister Sanchez described the event as “the worst natural disaster in the recent history of our country,” highlighting the scale of destruction that has gripped the region. Emergency teams have been racing against time, tirelessly sifting through wreckage in search of bodies and potential survivors. The premier admitted to the challenges faced during the response, acknowledging that it fell short of expectations. “I am aware the response is not enough, there are problems and severe shortages… towns buried by mud, desperate people searching for their relatives… we have to improve,” he said.

Valencia’s regional leader, Carlos Mazon, and authorities have been criticized for allegedly inadequate warning systems and delays in mobilizing emergency resources. Discontent among locals is palpable, with many feeling abandoned by the state. Estrella Caceres, 66, voiced her frustrations to AFP, stating, “Thank you to the people who have come to help us, to all of them, because from the authorities: nothing.”

Calls for accountability amidst tragedy

The anger directed at the royals underscores deeper resentment towards the government’s handling of the crisis. As security and rescue operations continue in Valencia and neighboring areas, the focus has shifted to assessing what could have been done differently to prevent such loss. The flood, which is now recorded as Europe’s second deadliest of the 21st century, has sparked demands for greater accountability and swift action to bolster disaster response systems.

  AFP, Carlos Mazon, Felipe VI, Paiporta, Pedro Sanchez, Queen Letizia, Spain, Valencia