King Felipe VI Visits the Flooded Areas

Protests in Paiporta

King Felipe VI was protested during his visit to the areas affected by the floods, especially Paiporta, a badly damaged town near Valencia. In a tense climate, he and Queen Letizia, along with Prime Minister Sanchez and the president of the Region Mazon, were targeted by mud pelts from an exasperated crowd. Many shouted “murderers”, as shown by the images broadcast on Spanish TV.

After the riots in Paiporta, the visit to the subsequent centers of Chiva was postponed on the advice of the authorities. Initially, the royals had intended to continue the program, but the protest forced a change.

The Government’s Reaction

During the incident, Sanchez was hit by an object thrown by the crowd. Moncloa confirmed that the president and his entourage are in good condition. They specified that during the journey to Paiporta, the procession suffered insults and attacks. In response, the president’s escort activated the security protocol.

Despite the difficulties, King Felipe interacted with some volunteers called mud angels, hugging two young people who were helping with the cleanup.

The Death Toll

The death toll from the flood has tragically risen to 217, with most of the deaths in the province of Valencia. The Minister for Territorial Policy confirmed that 213 people have lost their lives in this region alone.

The search continues with the assistance of 7,500 members of the military and police officers to locate the missing. One of the most critical areas remains the parking lot of the Bonaire shopping center, where victims are feared trapped inside submerged cars.

Health Risks

The Department of Health of the Valencian Region has issued an alert regarding food and water safety:

“Be careful about the water you drink and the food you eat because it could be contaminated.”

Infections related to ingestion of contaminated water or food can increase in these critical situations. It is essential to be careful, especially for vulnerable people such as the elderly and children.

The situation continues to evolve, with authorities committed to providing assistance to the affected populations and restoring necessary infrastructure.