Spain: Anger as flood-affected citizens pelt King Felipe with mud

Spain’s King Felipe VI and top government officials faced a hostile reception during their visit to Paiporta, one of the areas hardest hit by the recent floods.

A crowd of enraged survivors pelted them with mud, forcing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to be evacuated from the scene. The officials were visiting the mud-covered streets of Paiporta, where over 60 people lost their lives and thousands more had their lives shattered.

The situation quickly turned volatile, with police intervening on horseback to control the crowd of dozens wielding shovels and poles.

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Protesters hurled insults, including “Get out!” and “Killers!” as bodyguards rushed to protect the royals and officials with umbrellas. Despite the chaos, King Felipe VI remained calm, making efforts to speak with individual residents, including one person who wept on his shoulder.

The incident marked an unprecedented moment for Spain’s Royal House, known for its careful image management. However, public outrage over the government’s handling of the crisis boiled over on Sunday.

Queen Letizia and regional Valencia President Carlo Mazón were also part of the contingent, with the queen speaking to women affected by the disaster. One woman told her, “We don’t have any water,” highlighting the ongoing struggles five days after the floods struck.

Paiporta, with a population of 30,000, remains severely impacted, with city blocks clogged with debris, destroyed cars, and mud. The floods have claimed over 200 lives and destroyed thousands of homes.

The floods are part of a larger pattern of severe weather events across Europe, which have caused significant damage and loss of life in countries including Germany, France, and Italy.