During a visit to flood-affected areas, the Spanish King faced backlash as responders threw mud in protest. Watch the videos capturing the intense moment and learn about the grievances driving the responders’ frustrations.
In Valencia on Sunday, flood survivors expressed their frustration by hurling mud and shouting insults at King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia during the Spanish royals’ visit to the disaster-stricken town.
Over 200 people have lost their lives due to devastating floods in Spain’s western Valencia region, following torrential rains last week.
The royals, along with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional President Carlos Mazon, visited Paiporta, a town that was among the hardest hit.
According to the Spanish news agency EFE, locals hurled eggs and mud at the royals and officials while others shouted boos and chanted “murderers,” “shame,” and “get out.” Videos from the scene reveal that security personnel used umbrellas in an attempt to shield the royals. Protesters also targeted stones at the prime minister’s car.
READ ALSO: Spanish PM Visits West Africa to Address Surge in Illegal Migration
Spanish media reported that locals were furious about not receiving early warnings before the tragedy and the slow responses afterward. “All we wanted was to be warned, and we would have been saved,” one resident exclaimed, according to Reuters.
“It was common knowledge, yet no one took any action to prevent it,” another man remarked to the king when he tried speaking with the residents.
Despite the unfriendly reception, the royal family was determined to breach the police barrier and attempted to communicate with nearby residents. In a video shared on social media, the queen is visible with mud smudges on her face and hands as she hugs a woman in an effort to console her.
After approximately thirty minutes, the police escorted the royals away. Plans to visit another affected town, Chiva, were postponed.
A few hours following the visit, the king posted a video on social media expressing his understanding of “the anger and frustration.” He encouraged people to offer hope to the victims and assured them that “the state as a whole is present.”
