'Understand the anger': Spanish king reacts after facing furious locals at flood-hit region

After being pelted with mud by angry demonstratorsduring the visit to a flood-hit region, the Spanish king said that the peoplehad to "understand the anger and frustration" of the ones affected by the devastation that hit the 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".

During the visit to Valencia, the flood-struck area of Spain, the Spanish king, queen, and prime minister faced aggressive protest as furious locals hurled mud and other objects at them on Sunday (Nov 3) after they felt abandoned by the authorities.

It was 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.

Videos on social media showed the king constantly hit by mud and authorities tried covering him and taking him out of the place when a few locals were seen shouting at the king's face showing their anger and frustration.

Tensions rise in Valencia as King Felipe and Queen Letizia face frustration from residents amid devastating floods.

During their visit, locals, expressed anger, throwing mud and eggs at the royal couple.#DANA #Valencia #Spain #SpainFloods #KingFelipe

pic.twitter.com/fiEcAa9ZXK — Mr. Shaz (@Wh_So_Serious) November 3, 2024

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

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.

(With inputs from agencies)