Thousands Protest in Spain Over Response to Deadly Floods

Photo : AFP

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the heart of Valencia on Saturday to protest the regional government’s response to devastating floods that have killed over 220 people, marking one of the worst natural disasters Europe has faced in decades.

The protest was fueled by anger over the perceived delayed response from regional authorities, particularly Carlos Mazon, the leader of the Valencian regional government. Demonstrators filled the streets, chanting "Killers!" and demanding Mazon’s resignation. The rally, organized by over 30 groups, called for accountability, with many accusing the authorities of failing to issue an early alert when it was most needed. Protesters held signs reading, "Our hands are stained with mud, yours with blood," and some even dumped dirty boots outside government buildings as a symbol of their fury. Other demonstrators covered the buildings with mud to express their disdain.

The floods, which occurred on October 29, overwhelmed many towns and villages in the Valencian region, leaving destruction in their wake. Residents of these areas have been particularly vocal in their criticism, stating that the regional government’s delay in issuing a flood alert was a key factor in the high death toll. The alarm was not raised until 8 p.m. that day, by which time the floodwaters had already begun to submerge numerous areas.

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Carlos Mazon, in defense, has claimed that an earlier alert could not have been issued as there was no clear indication from the official water monitoring body about the severity of the situation. Mazon has not commented publicly on the protests or responded to media requests for clarification.

The protest in Valencia, though largely peaceful, did see some violent incidents. Police had to charge a group of stone-throwing protesters at one point, and there was minor damage caused to the city council building due to objects thrown by demonstrators.

While the regional government’s response is being questioned, some local municipalities and agencies had acted much earlier. For example, Valencia University announced on October 28 that its staff should not come to work, and several town halls had already shut down public facilities and warned people to stay home, even before the regional government had issued an alert. Meanwhile, the national weather service AEMET had raised its threat level for heavy rains to red alert at 7:36 a.m. on October 29.

The floods, which have claimed the lives of more than 220 people, have left nearly 80 people still missing. This disaster is being considered one of the most deadly deluges in Europe since the tragic floods in Portugal in 1967, which killed around 500 people. As rescue operations continue, the impact of the floods has left many questioning the effectiveness and speed of the response from both local and regional authorities. The disaster has sparked a wider debate on disaster preparedness and response at all levels of government, with many calling for a more coordinated approach in the future.