“Thousands Protest in Spain Over Deadly Floods: Demands for Resignation Amid Criticism of Response
Thousands Protest in Spain: Tens of thousands of people gathered in Valencia on Saturday to protest the regional government’s handling of deadly floods that have claimed more than 220 lives in one of Europe’s worst natural disasters in decades. The demonstrators marched through the city center, calling for the resignation of regional leader Carlos Mazon and shouting “Killers!” in outrage over the delayed response to the devastating storm.
One of the key grievances was the timing of the flood alert issued by Mazon’s government, which residents argue came too late. At 8 p.m. on October 29, when floodwaters had already begun engulfing towns and villages across the region, the regional government finally issued an official warning. Protesters held banners that read, “Our hands are stained with mud, yours with blood,” and some even dumped dirty boots outside government buildings or covered them in mud to symbolize their anger.
Residents of flood-stricken areas accused the regional authorities of failing to take timely action. While Mazon’s office claimed that an earlier alert would have been issued if the severity of the situation had been recognized by official water monitoring bodies, many local officials and institutions had already raised alarms much sooner. The national weather service, AEMET, had raised its threat level to a red alert for heavy rains as early as 7:36 a.m. on October 29, and many municipalities had already taken preventive measures, including suspending public services and urging people to stay indoors.
In addition, Valencia University had already told staff on October 28 to stay home, and several local town halls had shut down public facilities. However, the regional government’s delayed response triggered anger and frustration, leading to the large-scale protest.
While the protest remained largely peaceful, tensions escalated when police charged stone-throwing demonstrators. Objects thrown at the city council building caused minor damage. Protest organizers, including Anna Oliver, president of Accio Cultural del Pais Valenciano, expressed their anger over what they described as the poor management of the disaster that affected thousands of people.
The floods, which occurred after several days of storm warnings, have left a deep scar in the region. With nearly 80 people still missing, it remains one of the most deadly flood events in Europe in recent memory. The 1967 floods in Portugal, which killed around 500 people, still hold the record for the deadliest deluge on the continent.
As the recovery efforts continue, the protest in Valencia has put a spotlight on the handling of the crisis and raised important questions about preparedness and communication in the face of natural disasters.
