Anger and frustration over the Spanish government's response to devastating floods boiled over on Sunday when locals in the hardest-hit areas hurled mud and insults at Spain's King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The royal couple and the prime minister visited the town of Paiporta, where more than 70 people died last week, attempting to address grievances as the death toll across the region climbed to 217, with many residents still missing.

Locals vented their anger, calling the government representatives "murderers" for their perceived inaction. As mud was thrown, the royal family and Prime Minister Sanchez were forced to leave as citizens voiced a sense of abandonment and dissatisfaction with the government. 

King Felipe VI later addressed the nation, urging Spain to "understand the anger and frustration" felt by those affected by the disaster. In a social media post, he appealed for calm and unity, promising that the government and emergency response teams would work to "give the victims hope and their guarantee that the state in its entirety is present."

However, many believe that the government's response fell short of expectations, as first responders faced delays and logistical challenges, with some forced to navigate flooded areas on foot due to inadequate coordination.

Sanchez and Valencia's regional leader Carlos Mazon have taken the lion's share of the criticism. Mazon acknowledged the public outrage in a statement on X, saying, "I understand the social anger, and of course, I'm here to receive it. This is my political and moral obligation." His remarks followed mounting accusations of negligence on the government's end, which many believe resulted in unnecessary casualties.

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Spain's meteorological agency issued a "red alert" for severe storms in the Valencia region on Sunday, with heavy rain starting late in the evening. Police deployed across the region used loudspeakers to urge residents to remain indoors as new storms threatened more destruction. Though the alert was eventually downgraded, officials kept Valencia schools closed on Monday as a precaution.

Lack of preparedness

Many residents have questioned the lack of preemptive warnings and the delays in emergency aid distribution. In response, Sanchez admitted shortcomings in the response efforts, stating, "I am aware the response is not enough, there are problems and severe shortages… towns buried by mud, desperate people searching for their relatives… we have to improve."

He announced Spain's largest peacetime military and security force deployment, sending an additional 10,000 troops, police officers, and civil guards to the affected areas.

Roads remain blocked, debris clogs the streets, and many have lost not only their homes but also their loved ones, yet they are forced to clean up the streets for drainage with their bare hands.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente told El Pais that access to certain flood-hit areas in Valencia could remain restricted for weeks due to the severe infrastructure damage. Roads and bridges have been washed away, leaving entire neighborhoods isolated and hindering rescue efforts.

Despite official warnings to avoid congested areas, thousands of volunteers have joined recovery efforts, bringing food, water, and cleaning supplies to aid those affected. Many locals braved hazardous conditions, walking into hard-hit neighborhoods with brooms and shovels in hand. In response, Valencia's regional government limited authorized volunteer access to 2,000 people on Sunday and restricted entry to 12 specific localities in the city's southern suburbs to better manage resources and safety.

As of Sunday, the official death toll stood at 213 in the Valencia region alone, with additional casualties reported in other areas: one in Andalusia in southern Spain and three in Castilla-La Mancha, which neighbors Valencia. Authorities have cautioned that the toll could rise further as submerged vehicles in tunnels and underground parking facilities are cleared.