King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia faced angry crowds in Valencia, where over 200 have died from floods. Residents booed and threw eggs, accusing authorities of a slow response. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional governor Carlos Mazon were criticized, as tensions mounted amid ongoing recovery efforts.
During a visit to the flood-affected region of Valencia on Sunday, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia faced fierce backlash from angry residents. As they toured Paiporta, where over 200 lives have been lost due to the recent devastating floods, crowds responded with booing and egg-throwing, shouting accusations of “murderer” at the monarch and local officials.
The royal couple was accompanied by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional governor Carlos Mazon, both of whom were confronted with intense criticism from the locals. Residents expressed their frustration over what they saw as a delayed government response to the crisis. As tensions rose, security personnel worked to shield the officials from projectiles while police attempted to restore order.
Throughout the confrontation, King Felipe maintained his composure, listening to the grievances of upset citizens, while Queen Letizia appeared shaken by the situation. Footage shared on social media showed the royal couple embracing distraught residents amidst the turmoil. The protests underscored the community's anger directed primarily at Sanchez and Mazon, who left the area prematurely, leaving King Felipe to engage with the crowd alone.
Described as Spain’s worst natural disaster in recent history, the floods have resulted in a rising death toll. In response to the unfolding disaster, Sanchez has deployed additional military resources to assist with recovery efforts, while acknowledging that the government’s initial response has been inadequate.
