Residents in Valencia expressed their outrage toward Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia during their visit to the flood-stricken region, where over 200 lives have been lost due to devastating floods. The royal couple faced boos and eggs thrown at them as they toured the hard-hit area of Paiporta, accompanied by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional governor Carlos Mazon. Locals accused the authorities of a slow response to the disaster, chanting “murderer” at the king.
As the royal family posed for photos, the situation escalated with insults directed at the king, Sanchez, and Mazon. Amid the chaos, King Felipe maintained his composure, lowering his umbrella to listen to an upset resident, while Queen Letizia appeared visibly shaken and held her head in her hands.
Despite the hostility, the royal family’s social media accounts shared footage of their interactions with distraught residents, including moments where the king embraced grieving individuals. This incident marks a rare instance of open public anger directed at the Spanish monarchy, which has generally enjoyed a relatively positive reputation since Felipe ascended to the throne.
🇪🇸 A crowd of furious flood survivors threw mud and shouted insults at the Spanish King, Felipe VI, as he visited a devastated town in Spain’s Valencia region pic.twitter.com/BxsOK7Mfcw
— Climate NetWork (@ClimateNetWork_) November 4, 2024
The anger of the crowd appeared primarily directed at Sanchez and Mazon, who left the scene early as Felipe remained to engage with the community. Sanchez’s office later stated that his departure followed security protocols, while Mazon acknowledged the public’s frustration and commended the king’s “exemplary” conduct.
The floods have claimed at least 214 lives, with the death toll expected to rise. Among the latest victims was a 70-year-old woman whose body was discovered several miles from her home. Many residents are frustrated with the slow and disorganized response to the crisis, as text alerts from authorities were delayed in reaching the public.
In response to the disaster, Sanchez ordered an additional 5,000 troops to assist with recovery efforts, labeling the storm as the “worst natural disaster” in the country’s history. He acknowledged the anger over the delayed response and admitted that initial efforts were “not enough.”
Political tensions have complicated the response, as Mazon and Sanchez belong to different parties. Under Spain’s political framework, federal emergency resources require regional government authorization, which did not occur until four days after the floods struck.
As heavy rains continue to pose further threats, authorities have heightened weather alerts in the Valencia region. Local leaders are urging residents to seek shelter as weather agencies anticipate more flooding. Thousands of volunteers have stepped up to assist in clearing debris, but frustrations have grown over the apparent lack of preparedness and coordination among authorities. Many volunteers reported being turned away due to shortages in supplies and transportation, expressing their disappointment with the government’s response during this crisis.