Severe flooding affected the suburbs of Valencia, causing widespread casualties. There, when King Felipe of Spain, Queen Letizia and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the affected area on Sunday, hundreds of angry residents started throwing mud at them.
According to the Reuters news agency, citizens of Valencia recorded violent protests on Sunday during the visit of King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
The royal family and the prime minister had arrived to inspect the flood-affected area and meet the victims, but during the protest, someone attacked them with mud.
On the occasion of their arrival, some of the people present shouted slogans of ‘Killer, killer’. Bodyguards shielded them with umbrellas to protect the royal family.
The death toll from devastating floods in Spain has reached 211
The victims registered a protest over the delay in informing the authorities about the flood risks.
A young man told King Felipe that the authorities knew about the flood but did not take any action. Despite the protests, King Felipe relented, insisting on talks with the victims, while the prime minister backed down.
Keep in mind that Spain is a parliamentary monarchy where the king is the head of state.
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**Interview with María González, Valencia resident and community activist**
**Interviewer:** María, thank you for joining us today. The recent protests during the royal family’s visit in the wake of the floods have sparked widespread discussion. What was the atmosphere like when King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived?
**María González:** It was intense, to say the least. Many of us felt a deep sense of anger and betrayal. While they came to see the devastation and meet with victims, we wanted to make sure they understood the gravity of the situation that we believe could have been mitigated.
**Interviewer:** You witnessed residents throwing mud and shouting slogans. What do you think drove people to express their frustration in that way?
**María González:** Many residents are still recovering from the shock and loss. With a death toll of 211, people are understandably furious. We had warned the authorities about the flood risks beforehand, but no action was taken. This was a moment for us to hold them accountable.
**Interviewer:** Some might argue that the protests overshadow the royal visit’s intent to provide support. How do you respond to that perspective?
**María González:** It’s precisely because of the intent that we felt the need to protest. If we don’t voice our concerns, how can we expect change? We have lost lives and homes; pretending everything is fine does a disservice to the victims. Our anger reflects our demand for accountability and action, not just sympathy.
**Interviewer:** King Felipe insisted on talking with victims amidst the protest. Do you believe these conversations can lead to meaningful change?
**María González:** Conversations are a start, but they need to be backed up by concrete actions. We want to see tangible changes in flood prevention and disaster management. If they truly listen to us and prioritize our needs, then perhaps there can be hope for improvement.
**Interviewer:** Given the current political climate in Spain, do you think the government is equipped to handle this crisis effectively?
**María González:** That’s a big question. Many of us feel that the political response has been slow and inadequate. It’s about time we hold our leaders accountable and ensure they prioritize our safety and well-being over politics. This disaster should prompt systemic change, not just temporary fixes.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, María.
**Question for readers:** With the ongoing struggle between accountability and royal tradition in Spain, do you think that protests like these are an effective way to voice grievances, or do they overshadow the need for dialogue and healing?
