Spanish King, Queen and PM face fury on Valencia visit

The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, alongside Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, have faced angry crowds as they visited “ground zero” in Valencia following the catastrophic floods that have claimed more than 200 lives.

On November 3, the Head of State and his wife were accompanied by the president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazón, and Sánchez.

Locals present who were affected by the disaster on October 29 were quick to hurl insults, with some throwing mud balls, bottles, water and sticks at them, shouting “murderers, murderers” and “get out”.

Both Mazón and Sánchez fled the scene under escort, while the Valencian representative held out a little longer, leaving some 20 minutes later.

Neighbours from Paiporta — one of the most affected areas of Valencia — began to rebuke the authorities as soon as they appeared on the so-called Valencia road.

The insults were first directed at Sánchez, who had a stick thrown at him.

Law enforcement agents on horseback were brought in to break up the protests.

As soon as locals started throwing mud and other objects, Sánchez’s bodyguards activated security protocol and moved him to an Advanced Command Post. In addition to the vehicle the PM was travelling in, other cars in the official entourage were targeted.

After suspending his visit to Chiva — another of the affected localities — Sánchez travelled to the Integrated Operational Co-ordination Centre (CECOPI), where he took part in his meeting with the King and Queen and the Valencian Community president.

Sánchez appeared at the centre a few hours later to make a statement in which he spoke of “some absolutely marginal violent people”, referring to the incidents.

Los Reyes visitan el puesto de mando avanzado en Paiporta (Valencia) para conocer la última hora de las tareas de rescate y recuperación de suministros básicos tras las inundaciones por la DANA.

➡️https://t.co/C9v6fDOEX9 pic.twitter.com/l2PsOb6aR3

— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) November 3, 2024

“The majority of citizens want a solution. What they do is reject and marginalise any kind of violence that can be perpetrated, such as those we have unfortunately seen today.”