King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were met with hostility during their visit to Paiporta, a town in Valencia severely affected by recent floods. Accompanied by other officials, the royal couple faced a shouting crowd that hurled mud at them, accusing the authorities of negligence.
Protesters directed their anger at both the King and regional president Carlos Mazon, calling for Mazon’s resignation. Premier Sanchez was also targeted, narrowly avoiding being struck by a stick as security whisked him away from the scene. Demonstrators voiced their frustration over the perceived delays in emergency response, demanding accountability from the leaders present.
Despite the uproar, police established a security cordon that allowed Felipe VI and Letizia to engage with local residents, hearing their grievances firsthand. Some protesters shouted at the Queen, questioning the adequacy of the relief efforts. Queen Letizia, who was covered in mud, was described by some media outlets as being in a state of shock and tearful, prompting one protester to offer her consolation.
The royal visit to Paiporta was abruptly cut short, with plans to continue to Chiva canceled amid the turmoil. In response to the public’s anger, Governor Mazon took to social media to express his understanding of the outrage while praising the King’s exemplary conduct during the visit. The protests escalated into violence, with reports of injuries and the use of bottles and sticks against the police, who were forced to intervene with mounted officers to manage the crowd. As of the latest reports, the floods have claimed 217 lives, with nearly 2,000 individuals still unaccounted for.
