Spaniards Protest in Valencia, Demand Resignation of Carlos Mazón for Flood Response Failures

Tens of thousands gathered in Valencia, Spain, demanding the resignation of the regional president due to the mishandling of recent floods. The disaster resulted in over 200 deaths and many missing. Protesters clashed with police near the city hall, where they began their march towards the regional government building. Riot police used batons to disperse the crowd.

Protesters Demand Accountability

Demonstrators carried signs with messages like "Mazón Resign!" and "You Killed Us!" Upon reaching the government seat, some threw mud at the building, leaving handprints on its facade. The protest was a response to the delayed flood alerts issued by regional leader Carlos Mazón's administration. Alerts were sent hours after flooding began on October 29.

Mazón, from the conservative Popular Party, faces criticism for a slow and chaotic disaster response. He defended his actions, claiming the disaster's scale was unforeseeable and that central authorities provided insufficient warnings. However, Spain's weather agency had issued a red alert for severe weather early on Tuesday morning.

Volunteers Lead Initial Response

In many severely affected areas on Valencia's southern outskirts, volunteers were first to respond. It took days for officials to mobilise police reinforcements and soldiers requested from central authorities. Regional governments in Spain manage civil protection and can request additional resources from Madrid.

Mazón stated on regional broadcaster À Punt that accountability would come later, emphasising current efforts to clean streets and assist people. He expressed respect for the march but remains under pressure for his administration's handling of the crisis.

Personal Tragedies Fuel Anger

Sara Sánchez Gurillo attended the protest after losing her brother-in-law, Candido Molina Pulgarín, whose body was found in an orange grove after being trapped by floodwaters in Cheste. She criticised both Mazón and national leaders for failing to warn or evacuate residents despite knowing about impending severe weather.

"The central government should have taken charge," Sánchez said. "They should have sent in the army earlier. The king should have made them send it in. Why do we want him as a symbolic figure? He is worthless. The people are alone. They have abandoned us."

The death toll reached 220, with 212 fatalities in eastern Valencia alone. The search for bodies continues as thousands remain homeless and streets are still covered in mud and debris 11 days after a tsunami-like wave followed record rainfall.