During their visit to Valencia on Sunday, Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia faced a hostile reception from residents of Paiporta, the area most devastated by the recent DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels). The royal couple, along with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Carlos Mazón, President of the Valencian Generalitat, were met with a barrage of insults and mud from disgruntled citizens still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster six days later.
The atmosphere was charged with anger as protesters hurled cries of "murderers" and demanded they "leave, leave." In a particularly tense moment, Prime Minister Sánchez was struck on the back with a stick amid shouts of "Pedro Sánchez, son of a bitch" and "the Prime Minister is a dog." Following the attack, he swiftly departed in his vehicle, pursued by jeers from the crowd.
Royal Persistence Amidst Chaos
Despite the volatile environment, the king chose to remain and engaged with some of the residents. Among them, a young man lamented, "I've lost everything," highlighting the severe neglect they felt from authorities during the past week. Queen Letizia, visibly shaken and with mud on her face and hands, also listened to the grievances of a distressed citizen.
The tension was so palpable that the planned visit to the nearby town of Chiva had to be canceled. The incident underscores the deep-seated frustration and despair among those affected by the natural disaster, as well as their dissatisfaction with the government's response.