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Angry crowds throw mud at Spain’s king in flood-hit Valencia

Angry crowds throw mud at Spain's king in flood-hit Valencia Angry crowds throw mud at Spain's king in flood-hit Valencia

King Felipe VI of Spain has faced angry protesters while visiting the Valencia region, which has been hit by unprecedented floods.

Footage shows an angry crowd shouting “murderer” and “shame” at the king, who was also asked why nothing had been done to avoid the tragedy.

Spain’s worst floods in decades have left whole neighbourhoods covered in mud and strewn with mangled cars and debris.

More than 200 people were killed in the floods, with many more missing. Emergency workers are continuing to comb through underground car parks and tunnels in the hope of finding survivors and recovering bodies.

There has been anger at a perceived lack of warning and insufficient support from authorities after the floods.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been visiting Paiporta, a town that has been severely affected.

Footage showed the king making his way down a pedestrian street, before his bodyguards and police were suddenly overwhelmed by a surge of protesters, hurling insults and screaming.

They struggled to maintain a protective ring around the monarch, as some of the protesters threw mud and objects.

The king engaged with several, even embracing them.

His visit to the region comes after residents criticised local authorities over their response to catastrophic flooding.

On Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ordered 10,000 more troops, police officers and civil guards to the area.

He said the deployment was Spain’s largest in peacetime. But he added that he was aware the response was “not enough” and acknowledged “severe problems and shortages”.

This article was originally published at www.bbc.com

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