A recently built 'floodable' park is visible along the Cariano river in Ontinyent, eastern Spain, on November 28, 2024. – AFP
Angry residents in Spain are planning new protests as the nation observes one month since the most devastating floods in a generation claimed 230 lives. The October 29 disaster, which flipped cars, damaged infrastructure, and destroyed homes and businesses, especially in the eastern Valencia region, has sparked widespread outrage. Some residents received telephone alerts as water surged through towns, while several municipalities went days without state assistance, relying on volunteers for food, water, and cleaning supplies. The authorities' response to the disaster has led trade unions and associations to call for rallies in the most affected areas on Friday. Another protest is expected in Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, on Saturday. A previous demonstration on November 9 attracted 130,000 angry citizens demanding the resignation of regional leader Carlos Mazon.
Mazon acknowledged the public's frustration, stating, 'What is demanded of us is that we are efficient and arrive as soon as possible... that is the people's main complaint.' He added, 'We have to be extraordinarily understanding with the protests... there are still lots of people who have received nothing, so we cannot rest,' announcing the reopening of Valencia's metro on December 3. In the town of Paiporta, survivors threw mud at King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Mazon on November 3. Sanchez and Mazon were escorted away, and their brief unity has since dissolved, with the left-wing central government and the conservative regional administration blaming each other for the flood response.
Thousands of troops, police, firefighters, and volunteers continue to clear debris, repair damage, and remove mud from garages, basements, and car parks in the Valencia region. In Catarroja, two piles of rusted vehicles greet visitors, where garages are still covered in mud, and the council declared three days of mourning for the victims. 'They have supported us a lot, but one month on many of the streets are a mess, the parks are still destroyed,' said 44-year-old Gyovana Gimenez, whose restaurant was devastated by floodwater. Spain's Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo listed the extensive damage, including 69,000 homes, 125,000 vehicles, and 12,500 businesses, according to insurance data. The government has assembled aid packages collectively worth 16.6 billion euros ($17.5 billion) in grants and loans to help citizens rebuild their lives. However, Amparo Peris expressed the despair felt by many in the flood-affected areas, feeling 'abandoned' by politicians.
'We thank the volunteers, but we are very tired because this is not moving forward,' said 35-year-old domestic assistant Amparo Peris in Catarroja. 'This is horrific... I feel powerless because they (the authorities) do nothing,' added 69-year-old pensioner Fina Solaz as she waited in line to collect essential goods. Sanchez admitted in parliament this week that 'there is still a lot of work to do.'
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