A group of angry flood victims threw mud and rocks at King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on Sunday, November 3, as they visited an area devastated by one of Spain’s deadliest natural disasters in recent memory.
The royal couple was attacked while in Valencia, the epicenter of last week’s catastrophic flash floods that resulted in at least 205 fatalities.
The crowd shouted “Killers!” at the royals in the town of Paiporta, expressing their frustration over what they perceive as a slow and inadequate government response to the disaster.
“Get out! Get out!” they yelled.
Bodyguards raised umbrellas to shield the royals and other officials from the mud, while police, some on horseback, intervened to control the angry crowd, which included individuals wielding shovels and poles. Reports from Spain’s national broadcaster indicated that two bodyguards were injured, with one seen bleeding from the forehead.
Despite having mud splattered on his face, King Felipe attempted to engage with the crowd, patting two young men on the back and sharing a brief embrace, even as his black raincoat bore mud stains. Queen Letizia also had mud on her hands and arms as she interacted with women in the crowd.
One woman told her, “We don’t have any water.” The queen became emotional, shedding tears as she comforted several people, including a woman who cried in her arms.
In light of the violence, officials quickly whisked Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez away from the scene. The monarchs and their team decided to cancel a planned visit to another severely affected village, Chiva, located about half an hour east of Valencia.
The floods have claimed at least 205 lives in eastern Spain, and the public’s anger reflects growing frustration with a government perceived as overwhelmed and unable to meet the needs of its more than 48 million citizens.
In addition to the attacks on the royals, one woman struck an official car with an umbrella, while another kicked it as it drove away. Many residents are still without drinking water five days after the floods, and internet and mobile phone services remain unreliable, with most people regaining power only on Saturday, November 2.
