Angry crowds throw mud at Spain's king in Valencia - RTHK
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Angry crowds throw mud at Spain's king in Valencia

2024-11-04 HKT 05:55
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Furious locals hurled mud and insults at Spain's king, queen and prime minister on Sunday in a startling show of anger in the worst hit town in the flood disaster that has killed more than 210 people.

More heavy rain fell on the Valencia region after King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez were forced to leave Paiporta where more than 70 people died in floods last Tuesday.

Mud hit the monarchs in the face and clothes as they tried to calm the angry crowd in scenes that underscored the fury over the response to the disaster that has now killed at least 217 people with many more still missing.

The king and queen went to a crisis centre in Paiporta. But extra security guards soon had to keep the angry crowd away from the royals and prime minister. They put up umbrellas to stop mud hitting the royal couple.

The king said later that Spain had to "understand the anger and frustration" of people affected by the devastation to towns where cars have been left in muddy heaps in streets.

In a social media video, the king called on the public to give the victims "hope and their guarantee that the state in its entirety is present".

Most of the fury seemed directed at Prime Minister Sanchez and Valencia regional government head Carlos Mazon.

"I understand the social anger and of course, I'm here to receive it. This is my political and moral obligation," Mazon said in a post on X.

The rear window of Sanchez's car was broken before he and the local politicians quickly left. The socialist leader said that while he empathised with the "anguish and suffering" of the victims, he condemned "all forms of violence".

Emergency services on Sunday listed 213 dead in the Valencia region, one in Andalusia in the south and three in Castilla-La Mancha neighbouring Valencia.

Authorities have warned the toll could rise as vehicles trapped in tunnels and underground car parks are cleared. (AFP)

Angry crowds throw mud at Spain's king in Valencia