Moment Spain flood survivors hurl MUD at King Felipe & smash Prime Minister’s car as fury grows over disaster response
THIS is the moment a crowd of angry Spain flood survivors threw mud at King Felipe and smashed the PM’s car in a chaotic visit as fury grows over the response to the disaster.
Government officials accompanied the monarch who tried to talk to locals while others shouted insults at him in the ravaged city of Paiporta, just outside Valencia.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was evacuated from the scene, according to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, when the official contingent started to walk the mud-covered streets.
Footage showed people attacking the PM’s car, chasing the black SUV as police sirens were heard in the background.
A crowd surrounded the vehicle repeatedly shouted “Son of a b****” and “Get out ba****d” before some began to throw objects at its windows.
A separate video showed a group of locals smashing and kicking the car as it attempted to make a turn and leave.
One man grabbed the car’s side-view mirror while another hit the back window with a squeege.
A car described as Sanchez’s vehicle was later pictured with its back windows smashed out and big dents all along the side.
There were no immediate reports of the Spanish PM suffering any injuries. He has yet to make any official comment.
The government has been accused of doing little to assist survivors, who have complained about emergency services’ delayed response and a lack of food and water.
Police had to step in with some officers on horseback to keep back the crowd of several dozens who hurled mud and wielded shovels and poles threateningly in the air.
“Get out!” and “Killers!” rang out among other insults.
Bodyguards opened umbrellas to protect the royals and officials as protesters hurled mud at them.
After being forced to seek protection from the mud, the King remained calm and made several efforts to speak to individual residents.
One person appeared to have wept on his shoulder as the monarch then shook hands with a man.
It was an unprecedented incident for the Spanish Royal House that takes great care to craft an image of a monarch who is liked by the nation.
But the public rage over for the haphazard management of the crisis came to a boil on Sunday.
Queen Letizia and regional Valencia President Carlo Mazón were also in the contingent.
Mr Mazón said: “I understand the social indignation and of course I stay to receive it. It is my political and moral obligation.”
Speaking of King Felipe, who tried to reason with the angry crowds, he added: “The King’s attitude this morning was exemplary.”
The queen also spoke to women with small glops of mud on her hands and arms.
Over 200 people have died from Tuesday’s floods and thousands have had their homes destroyed by the wall of water and mud.
At least 60 of the dead were in Paiporta, the epicentre of the disaster.
The floods had started filling Paiporta with crushing waves when the regional officials issued an alert to mobile phones that sounded two hours too late.
And more anger has been fuelled by the inability of officials to respond quickly to aftermath.
Most of the cleanup of the layers and layers of mud and debris that has invaded countless homes has been done by residents and thousands of volunteers.
“We have lost everything!”, someone shouted.
King Felipe insisted on trying to dialogue with people as he tried to continue his visit.
He spoke to several people, patting two young men on their backs and sharing a quick embrace, with mud stains on his black rain coat.
According to a journalist for Spanish broadcaster RTVE near Felipe, one woman wept and told him she didn’t have food and diapers while another person said “don’t abandon us”.
But after approximately half an hour of tension, the monarchs got in their officials cars and left with a mounted police escort.
It comes as 10,000 troops have been deployed over the weekend to join the frantic rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Sanchez had announced on Saturday that 5,000 soldiers will be deployed – on top of the at least 2,000 already on the ground.
A further 5,000 police officers will also be sent to flood-hit areas, as well as a Spanish navy ship to accommodate helicopters.
Rescue teams continue to hunt for victims trapped in flooded garages and cars in Valencia, sparking fears of a “mass grave.”
Gut-wrenching images of Bonaire Shopping Centre near Valencia show escalators leading down to the basement car park underwater.
And it’s causing concern about the final death toll from one of Europe’s worst-ever natural disasters.
Meanwhile, a devastated mum made a tearful plea to help find her missing daughter.
It comes as:
- Flooded car park in Valencia sparks fears of a “mass grave”
- A hugely popular Spanish tourist hotspot goes into lockdown
- Moment a waterspout tornado lands during devastating floods
- Officials desperately try to rescue people caught in the disaster
- Devastated towns are plagued by looting
- Former Valencia player is killed in flash floods
Janine Mercado, who has not been seen by her family in four days following Valencia‘s floods, is among the many missing.
Speaking to Sky News, Janine’s tearful mum has begged rescuers to find her.
She said: “I ask for help in finding Janine. We’re looking for her and if she is out there and suddenly doesn’t remember us, Janine please contact us.
Sobbing, the heartbroken mum added: “Your family is looking for you. We haven’t stopped searching for you. We love you very much.”