Protests erupted in Valencia, Spain, as King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited the region, which has been devastated by floods that claimed over 200 lives.
Angry residents booed and threw eggs at the royal couple, while chanting “murderers” during King Felipe’s visit to Paiporta, a severely affected area just outside Valencia city.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional governor Carlos Mazon, the king’s trip was overshadowed by locals’ accusations that authorities failed to adequately respond to the disaster.
The crowd’s anger and frustration boiled over after a photo opportunity, with insults hurled at the king, Mazon, and Sanchez. Security personnel scrambled to protect them, using umbrellas to deflect projectiles as the crowd surged forward, CNN reports.
BBC reports that the king was also pelted with mud.
The incident highlights the widespread discontent among Valencia’s residents, who feel that more could have been done to prevent or mitigate the flood’s impact. This outpouring of emotion underscores the deep-seated frustrations and sense of abandonment felt by the community.
King Felipe VI of Spain demonstrated remarkable composure amidst a heated confrontation during his visit to flood-ravaged Valencia. When a resident approached him, the king calmly lowered his umbrella to listen, even as police struggled to maintain order. Queen Letizia, however, appeared visibly shaken, holding her head in her hands as she engaged with furious locals.
In a striking display of empathy, the royal couple later shared moments of tender connection with distraught residents. A video released on the Royal Family’s social media channel showed the king embracing weeping individuals, including a man who broke down in his arms and two women he comforted with hugs.
Notably, the anger seemed primarily directed at Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional governor Carlos Mazon, who departed early amidst the chaos. In contrast, King Felipe, generally a well-liked figure since his ascension to the throne following his father’s abdication, insisted on staying to show support for the affected community.
The devastating floods have claimed at least 214 lives, with fears that the death toll may continue to rise.
In a heartbreaking discovery, the body of a 70-year-old woman was recovered over 12 kilometers (seven miles) away from her home, showing the scale of the disaster.