Thousands of Spaniards gathered in Valencia to demand the resignation of the regional president responsible for the emergency response to recent devastating floods. The protests turned violent as some clashed with riot police outside Valencia's city hall. The regional leader, Carlos Mazón, is facing mounting pressure after his administration failed to issue flood alerts promptly, with citizens receiving warnings hours after the flooding began on October 29.
Protestors carried homemade signs and chanted slogans calling for Mazón's resignation, expressing their anger with messages like 'You Killed Us!' Mazón acknowledged the march, stating that accountability would come in due time, but the focus now should be on recovery efforts and rebuilding.
Mazón, a member of the Popular Party, has been criticized for the perceived slow and disorganized response to the natural disaster. Volunteers were the first responders in many severely affected areas, with official reinforcements taking days to mobilize despite requests for assistance from central authorities.
Regional governments in Spain are responsible for civil protection, with the ability to request additional resources from the national government in Madrid. Mazón defended his actions by claiming the disaster's scale was unforeseeable and that his administration lacked sufficient warnings from central authorities.
However, Spain's weather agency had issued a red alert for severe weather early on the day of the disaster, while flooding had already begun in some areas by the evening. Mazón's administration did not send out alerts to citizens' cellphones until hours later.
The death toll from the floods reached 220 victims, with the majority in the eastern Valencia region. Search and rescue operations continue as many remain missing, and thousands have been displaced from their homes. Streets are still covered in mud and debris, reflecting the extensive damage caused by the catastrophic floods.
Mazón faced further backlash when he, along with Spain's royals and the Socialist prime minister, encountered angry residents during a visit to the affected areas, where they were pelted with mud. The aftermath of the floods underscores the urgent need for effective emergency response and support for the affected communities.
