Spain has had its worst flash floods in modern history, resulting in anger and anguish as the country grapples with the aftermath. The recent visit on Sunday by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to the flood-stricken town of Paiporta, near Valencia, wasn't exactly friendly. It was marred by protests and public outrage as residents vented their frustrations over what they perceive as a slow and inadequate response from the authorities.
The Death Toll Mounts Amid Protesters' Anger
The floods, which began last Tuesday following a period of intense rainfall, have become worrying. The death toll now stands at 217, almost all of them in the Valencia region. In the town of Paiporta alone, authorities have reported at least 62 fatalities.
As the royal couple and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived in Paiporta, they were met with a barrage of insults and objects hurled by angry residents. The angry crowd was filled with chants of "Murderers, murderers!" echoing through the streets.
To the protesters, this was a well deserved reaction for what they perceive as a late and inadequate response. They felt there was a lack of warning from the authorities about the impending danger, as well as slow mobilization of emergency services when the disaster struck.
Meanwhile, the blame game has equally intensified. The central government and regional authorities have been trading accusations over the responsibility for issuing alerts and coordinating the disaster response. Likewise, climate experts have pointed to poor communication and coordination between the different levels of government as a contributing factor to the tragedy.
"With a timely warning to the population, many fatalities could have been avoided," said Jorge Olcina, a climate expert at the University of Alicante. He acknowledged, however, that the magnitude of the disaster made it "difficult to handle".
A Call for Unity and Accountability
Despite the hostility, King Felipe VI sought to calm the situation, acknowledging the "anger and frustration" of the protesters. "There is a lot of toxic information going around and a lot of people interested in chaos," he told the crowd, urging them to be united in the face of the tragedy.
Valencia's regional leader, Carlos Mazon, who also visited Paiporta and faced boos and insults from protesters, posted on social media: "I understand the public anger and of course I will stay to receive it. It is my political and moral obligation. The King's attitude this morning has been exemplary."
As the clean-up and recovery efforts continue, the government has pledged to investigate any potential negligence, with Prime Minister Sánchez calling for political unity. Thousands of additional troops and police have been deployed in the largest peacetime operation in Spain's history, as the country grapples with the aftermath of this devastating disaster.
Preparing for the Worst
Looking ahead, the meteorological agency AEMET has issued its highest level of alert for parts of southern Valencia, including the cities of Alzira, Cullera and Gandia, as intense storms are forecast to pass through the area. It's not expected to be on the scale of the devastating floods last week, but the continued threat of heavy rainfall has heightened the sense of urgency in the region.