A flooded cemetery in Valencia.Image: trapezoid
A week and a half after what was described as a once-in-a-century storm in Spain's eastern Valencia region, tens of thousands of people are protesting against the slow progress of aid.
Spain's Interior Ministry representative in the region announced that about 130,000 people gathered in the center of Valencia, the provincial capital, on Saturday night. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of regional president Carlos Masson. During the march to government buildings, people chanted slogans such as “Murderer, murderer” and “Resign, resign.”
Some held posters with slogans such as “Masson goes to jail!” or “Justice!”. After a minute's silence for the more than 200 people who died in the disaster, several leaders read a declaration in front of the government palace calling for a clarification of responsibility for “the avoidable consequences of the disaster” and the removal of responsibility for the “catastrophe.” “Incompetent Valencian government.” Sixty-five organizations, including citizens' initiatives and unions, called for demonstrations to be held at short notice.
The king wants to visit the disaster area again
King Felipe VI of Spain defied ongoing discontent. He will visit the disaster-stricken area again on Tuesday following the unrest during his first visit to Valencia. As announced by the royal family, his wife Queen Letizia is not accompanying him this time. On Sunday, two people were thrown with mud and insulted in Piporta, near the metropolitan Valencia.
Madrid's Casa Real said the 56-year-old monarch wanted to oversee the salvage and clean-up efforts that are still underway. Some 8,500 military personnel and 10,000 police officers from the national police force and National Guard will be deployed in approximately 80 affected communities. Many buildings there remain inaccessible or difficult to access, as some entrances are still blocked by wrecked cars and household items.
The number of missing people is slowly decreasing
Heavy rainfall, landslides and floods a week and a half ago claimed at least 222 lives, according to the latest official figures. In Valencia alone, 214 bodies were found. Eight people died in the neighboring regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. The official number of missing people in Valencia has now been reduced from 50 to 41. It is said that it should be taken into account that 19 bodies have yet to be identified.
'Pirates of the Caribbean' star encourages victims
Meanwhile, Hollywood star Johnny Depp also pledged his support. The 61-year-old “Pirates of the Caribbean” star said on the sidelines of the European Film Festival in Seville that he wanted to see how far he could help “in any form.” Depp encouraged flood victims and said his “hearts are with those affected.” He also highlighted the “resilience shown by the Spanish people in such events”.
On October 29, some towns received their normal rainfall levels for the year in just a few hours. For several days, the flooded areas have seen sunny days again. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)
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