Violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and riot police in Valencia on Saturday as thousands took to the streets to vent their fury at the regional government’s handling of last week’s devastating floods.
The tragedy has left more than 200 people dead and many others missing, with many calling for the resignation of regional leader Carlos Mazon.
Video clips circulating on social media show tensions flaring, with police using batons against protestors in front of Valencia’s city hall, where the march began before moving toward the seat of the regional government.
Demonstrators, furious at the government’s delayed flood warnings, held placards reading “You Killed Us!” while chanting for Mr Mazon to quit.
Under immense scrutiny, Mazon has been criticised for his administration’s delayed response. The agency failed to issue flood alerts to residents’ phones until hours after floodwaters engulfed parts of the city on the night of October 29.
Many residents are accusing him of a chaotic and sluggish reaction to the disaster, which saw thousands of volunteers stepping in to help in the hardest-hit southern areas of Valencia before government-backed emergency services arrived.
Although police reinforcements and soldiers were eventually deployed, many felt the delay had dire consequences for those caught in the flood zone.
Mr Mazon, a member of the conservative Popular Party, defended his response in an interview with broadcaster À Punt, saying the scale of the disaster had been unforeseeable and that his administration hadn’t received timely warnings from national authorities.
However, Spain’s meteorological agency had issued a red alert as early as 7.30am on the day the flooding began. Floodwaters reached communities by 6pm that evening. Yet emergency phone alerts weren’t sent out until after 8 p.m., raising questions about regional coordination and accountability.
With the current death toll standing at 220, mostly in the eastern Valencia region, residents are still reeling from the loss, and streets remain caked in mud and debris.
Mr Mazon, who was previously pelted with mud by angry residents during a visit with Spain’s royals and prime minister, now faces a groundswell of frustration as the search for missing individuals continues.
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