In Valencia, Spain, a storm of outrage erupted as thousands took to the streets, demanding accountability from the government over its disastrous handling of the recent catastrophic floods. This tragic deluge, the deadliest in decades, has left at least 220 people dead, with nearly 80 still unaccounted for. The anger is palpable, as citizens express their fury at the authorities for their slow response and failure to issue timely flood alerts.
On a tense Saturday night, protesters clashed with riot police outside Valencia's city hall, where officers used batons to push back demonstrators marching toward the regional government's headquarters. The regional leader, Carlos Mazon of the conservative Popular Party, is facing mounting pressure to resign after his administration failed to alert residents until it was too late. While Mazon defends his actions, claiming the crisis was unforeseeable, the facts tell a different story. Spain's weather agency had issued a red alert for severe weather more than 12 hours before Mazon's team finally notified the public via cellphone alerts.
Public Outcry and Demands for Justice
Protesters displayed their anger with powerful slogans, some declaring, “You killed us!” and others demanding Mazon's resignation. The scene was chaotic, with people leaving muddied boots outside the council building as a stark reminder of the devastation. Anna Oliver, president of Accio Cultural del Pais Valenciano, emphasized the need to voice their indignation over the government's poor management of the disaster, which has deeply affected the community.
The response from the government has been criticized as disorganized and slow, with volunteers stepping in to assist victims before official help arrived. Earlier this week, similar protests erupted when King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the area, with demonstrators hurling mud and chanting “murderers.” The Valencia region has borne the brunt of this tragedy, with the death toll and missing persons figures continuing to rise, marking this event as one of the most devastating natural disasters in modern European history.
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