Spain's King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the flood-ravaged town of Paiporta in Valencia province on Sunday. Their presence provoked a strong reaction from the residents, who threw mud at them.
On Sunday, King Philip VI and his wife Letitia visited the flood-affected areas. They were accompanied by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the head of regional authorities, Carlos Mazon. Their presence provoked a strong reaction from the residents of Paiorta, and mud and accusations were hurled at the royal couple and politicians. “Get out!”, “Murderers!” – shouted the angry residents. Anger has been building in local communities for days, primarily over the lack of adequate warnings of severe storms and floods that have turned streets, including those in Paiortaro, into raging rivers and killed dozens of people.
Mud was thrown at the King of Spain in flood-affected areas
Red alerts
While Sanchez quickly left the scene, the royal couple and Mazon tried to talk to the injured, the media reported. According to the latest information of the government, the number of victims of heavy floods that occurred in the east and south of the country during the last few days, mainly in Valencia region, is 214 people. Three deaths were reported in the Castilla-La Mancha region and one in Andalucia in southern Spain. Transport Minister Oscar Puente said on the X website that although the number of victims has not increased rapidly recently, there are places such as underground parking lots, garages and basements where bodies are found. Officials report the gradual restoration of power supply and the reopening of roads and railways. Emergency services, the military and thousands of volunteers have been involved in cleaning up areas affected by the mud. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) on Sunday announced a red weather alert for Almeria province in Andalusia in southeastern Spain, and an orange and yellow alert for the eastern coast of the country. “The danger is too great! Do not travel until you have to!” – informs the agency.
The DANA phenomenon
Severe storms, floods and floods are the result of an atmospheric phenomenon known in Spain as DANA (depression alasada en niveles altos). It forms when cold air meets warm, moist air in the Mediterranean, causing extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Experts believe that this is the result of global climate change, as well as the inappropriate development of land in Valencia, including the construction of buildings in flood zones. The coast of Spain is particularly vulnerable to these types of phenomena.
