Tens of thousands took to Valencia’s streets on Saturday, protesting local authorities’ handling of last month’s catastrophic floods that killed over 200 and left 80 people missing.
The protesters, calling for the resignation of regional head Carlos Mazón, accused officials of responding too slowly, delaying flood warnings, and poorly managing the crisis.
Crowds chanted, “We are stained with mud, you are stained with blood,” as anger flared against regional authorities. The protests turned violent as night fell, with demonstrators clashing with police, throwing objects, and defacing Valencia City Hall with mud.
Valencia’s mayor, María José Catalá, shared images of broken windows and videos of a fire on social media, condemning the vandalism, saying, “Vandalism is not the solution.”
The disaster has left thousands homeless, with many streets still clogged with mud and debris.
Criticism of Mazón and his team intensified when reports surfaced that Valencia’s authorities issued flood warnings hours after flooding began, despite Spain’s weather agency having issued storm alerts on 25 October.
In one startling revelation, the local councillor responsible for emergency response admitted she was unaware of the system to send alerts to local mobile phones.
Defending his actions, Mazón, from the Popular Party, claimed his administration was not sufficiently informed by the central government and that the extent of the disaster was unpredictable. He dismissed criticism about his delayed presence at an emergency meeting, stating he was kept informed of developments.
The recent protest adds to tensions, with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez facing a hostile reception during visits to affected areas, as locals pelted them with mud in a show of frustration.
Organiser Anna Oliver said, “We want to show our indignation and anger over the poor management of this disaster which has affected so many people.”
The floods, triggered by a Dana weather event that combined warm, moist air with cold air, have underscored the impact of climate change on extreme weather events in Spain.
Scientists have warned that climate change is intensifying these phenomena, raising further questions about government preparedness and response.
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