On November 3, residents of a suburb in Valencia voiced their anger during King Felipe’s visit, demonstrating against the government’s handling of recent fatal floods that have led to a rising death toll of 217, predominantly in the Valencia area. Many criticized officials for the late warnings about the approaching storm and sluggish emergency reactions. Protesters shouted “Murderers!” and joined in a “cacerolazo,” hitting pots and pans to express their outrage. The central government asserted that it was the duty of regional authorities to inform the public, while local officials defended their actions by saying they acted based on the information they had. The floods are now viewed as the worst flood-related disaster in Europe in decades, leading to the mobilization of thousands of troops and police for assistance efforts. With numerous residents still missing and thousands without electricity, frustration is mounting as cleanup efforts persist during continued rain, hindering recovery efforts.
