Spain's Royals and Prime Minister Pelted with Mud During Visit to Flood-Hit Region

Spain’s King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced intense backlash from residents on Sunday during their visit to Paiporta, the town hardest hit by recent catastrophic floods. The disaster has claimed over 200 lives, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Angered locals hurled mud and shouted "murderers" at the officials, forcing them to cut short their visit.

Footage broadcast on Spanish TV captured the scene as the king and queen were struck with mud, while the crowd directed much of its outrage at Prime Minister Sanchez and Valencia’s regional governor, Carlos Mazon. Security personnel quickly intervened, escorting the politicians from the area. Their visit was later suspended, reflecting the depth of anger over what locals perceive as an insufficient response to one of the deadliest floods in Europe in recent memory.

The floods, which PM Sanchez described as Europe’s second deadliest this century, have left parts of the Valencia region buried in mud and debris. Emergency services on Sunday reported that 217 people had died, with more casualties likely as heavy rains continue in the area. The Spanish Met Office has issued further warnings for downpours, predicting up to 100 liters of rain per square meter in Castellon and around Valencia.

Damage to phone lines and transportation networks has complicated efforts to account for missing persons. Transport Minister Oscar Puente noted that some areas could remain inaccessible by road for weeks. Meanwhile, the Valencian government has restricted the number of volunteers in certain flood-stricken areas, limiting access to 12 towns and authorizing only 2,000 volunteers. Nonetheless, thousands of residents from the city of Valencia and surrounding areas took to the streets with brooms and shovels, aiming to assist those affected.

Criticism has mounted over the effectiveness of Spain’s flood warning systems, with many residents voicing frustration at the perceived slow response to the crisis. Prime Minister Sanchez acknowledged the shortcomings, saying, “I am aware the response is not enough… towns buried by mud, desperate people searching for their relatives… we have to improve.”

As mud-filled torrents have destroyed homes, swept away vehicles, and isolated communities, restoring order and delivering aid has become a priority. In response, Spain has deployed an additional 10,000 troops, police, and civil guards to assist with relief efforts, marking the country’s largest peacetime deployment of military and security forces, according to Sanchez.