Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — In a surprising turn of events, Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia were met with hostility during a visit to flood-ravaged Valencia, where they were pelted with eggs and mud and branded “murderers” by frustrated locals.
The royal couple, accompanied by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Valencia Governor Carlos Mazon, was initially welcomed by Paiporta residents who gathered to voice their anger about the government’s handling of the recent flood crisis.
According to CNN, Sunday’s visit saw the royal couple arrive to assess the damage and speak with survivors, but protestors wasted no time making their voices heard. The backlash follows the recent flash floods that claimed 214 lives, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Valencia. Additional deaths were reported in Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia, while numerous people remain unaccounted for.
The scale of the demonstration prompted law enforcement to intervene, with mounted police officers forming a protective barrier around the royal entourage as angry residents hurled mud, brandished shovels, and loudly criticized the government’s response to the disaster. The incident marks an unprecedented clash for Spain’s royal family, who have carefully maintained an image of popularity among Spaniards.
During his walk through the flood-affected areas, King Felipe was visibly calm, even when confronted by protestors demanding answers as to why there was no advance warning of the incoming floods. The King continued engaging with survivors, some of whom demanded accountability for the delayed disaster response.
Meanwhile, rescue teams continued to scour the Valencia region for those still missing. With vehicles stranded and homes submerged, the full extent of the destruction is still being assessed.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had previously mobilized 10,000 additional personnel, including soldiers and police officers, to support search and rescue operations, but acknowledged that public dissatisfaction remains high.
The floods in Spain have been the country’s worst in decades. Intense storms have battered southern and eastern regions since October 29, delivering a year’s worth of rainfall within a matter of hours. The storms continue to pose a threat to affected areas, sparking ongoing concerns over potential landslides and additional flooding.
Spain Hit by Deadly Floods, at Least 95 Dead as Devastation Sweeps Across Country
In a statement, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured the public that no Indonesian citizens in Spain were impacted by the tragedy. Indonesian Ambassador to Spain Judha Nugraha confirmed that approximately 200 Indonesian nationals live in Valencia and noted that none were among the casualties. The Indonesian Embassy in Madrid has issued guidance to nationals to stay clear of flood-prone areas and activated a hotline for emergency assistance.
In another incident highlighting the severity of the flooding, a British couple reported being trapped in their car for nearly 10 hours. After a police-directed detour, the couple encountered overturned vehicles and chaos along Spain’s flooded highways, describing it as an unprecedented disaster.
(Becky)
