Spain 130,000 protest in Valencia against flood mismanagement
A week and a half after the so-called storm of the century in the eastern Spanish region of Valencia, tens of thousands have protested against what they see as the slow start to aid.
10.11.2024, 03:49
SDA
Around 130,000 people gathered in the center of the provincial capital Valencia on Saturday evening, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry's representation in the region. The demonstrators demanded the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazón. On their march to the government building, the people chanted "murderer, murderer" and "resign, resign", among other things.
Some carried placards with inscriptions such as "Mazón in prison!" or "Justice!". After a minute's silence for the more than 200 people killed in the disaster, several leaders read out a manifesto in front of the Palau de la Generalitat calling for clarification of responsibility for the "avoidable consequences of the disaster" and the dismissal of the "incompetent Valencian government". The demonstration was called for at short notice by 65 organizations, including citizens' initiatives and trade unions.
The king wants to visit the disaster area again
Despite the continuing discontent, the Spanish King Felipe VI intends to visit the disaster area again on Tuesday after the riots during his first visit to Valencia. His wife, Queen Letizia, will not be accompanying him this time, as the royal family announced. Last Sunday, the two were pelted with mud and verbally abused in Paiporta near the metropolis of Valencia.
The 56-year-old monarch wanted to oversee the recovery and clean-up work, which is continuing at full speed, according to the "Casa Real" in Madrid. Around 8,500 military personnel and 10,000 officers from the national police units Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil are being deployed in the 80 or so affected municipalities. Many buildings are still inaccessible or difficult to access, as some entrances are still blocked by wrecked cars and household goods.
Number of missing persons slowly decreasing
The heavy rainfall, landslides and flooding a week and a half ago claimed at least 222 lives, according to the latest official figures. 214 bodies were recovered in Valencia alone. There were eight fatalities in the neighboring regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. Meanwhile, the official number of missing persons in Valencia has been reduced from 50 to 41. It had to be taken into account that 19 bodies had not yet been identified.
'Pirates of the Caribbean' star offers encouragement to victims
Meanwhile, Hollywood star Johnny Depp is offering his support. He wants to see to what extent he can help, "in whatever form", said the 61-year-old "Pirates of the Caribbean" star on the fringes of the European Film Festival in Seville. Depp encouraged the flood victims and said his heart was "with the people affected". He also emphasized "the resilience of the Spanish people in events like this".
On October 29, some towns received more rain in just a few hours than they usually receive in a year. In the meantime, the sun has mostly been shining again in the flood area for days.
