130.000 Protesters Regarding Spanish Valencia Floods

Post-flood Situation in Valencia, Spain (ANTARA)

OVIEDO - About 130,000 people rallied about flooding in Valencia, Spain by filling the streets of the city on Saturday 9 November 2024.

They issued an aspiration for anger against Valencia's handling of the devastating flood that killed more than 220 people.

The main banner of protest demands the resignation of Carlos Mazon, president of Valencia.

Valencia's flood rallies were originally planned as silent protests, but the singings, like killers, as he ate, people drowned, and we were covered in mud, you were covered in blood, reverberating throughout the night.

During the Valencia flood demonstration, the crowd clashed with police outside the city hall.

Protesters called the Valencia government incompetent and insisted that all cabinets in the local government should resign.

"They don't know how to deal with natural disasters, they don't know how to tell us on time, they don't know how to organize cleaning, and of course, they won't be able to handle the reconstruction Valencia needs," a spokesperson told news agency Europa Press.

For 12 days after the storm caused the deadliest natural disaster in Spanish history, authorities have confirmed 223 deaths, with 48 bodies still unidentified.

According to Transport Minister Oscar Puente, 78 people are still missing.

Most criticisms were directed at the Valencia Government for issuing warnings to residents' phones only after the worst flood had subsided. As a result, many victims were careless in their cars or on the ground floor of the building.

The Valencia flood protesters also criticized the slow response time, noting that several cities were isolated for days before receiving assistance.

Even 4 days after the disaster, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez admitted authorities had to do better.

Some have also criticized the Spanish central government for refusing to announce a state of emergency, which would make the authorities centralized.

The slow response sparked protests related to flooding in Valencia.