Spain Marks One Month Since Devastating Floods
Outrage and Anger Remain
PAIPORTA: Angry residents protested and lit candles in memory of victims on Friday as Spain marked one month since its worst floods in a generation killed 230 people.
The Disaster
Outrage swept the country after the Oct 29 catastrophe wrecked homes and businesses, leaving thousands of cars piled up in muddy streets in the eastern Valencia region. Telephone alerts reached some residents when water was already raging through towns, while several municipalities went for days without state help and relied on volunteers for food, water, and cleaning equipment.
Candlelight Vigil
Church bells rang out at dusk in Paiporta, the epicentre of the disaster, at around the time the floods began. Several hundred locals, some wearing face masks, gathered near a ravine which was ravaged by the torrential rain. They left a line of candles on both sides of the ravine in memory of 45 people who died in Paiporta in the floods.
"This tribute is for them, we put a candle for them so they are not forgotten," said Bea Garcia, a 43-year-old teacher. "The people continue to feel alone, the anger remains, and there is also fatigue and frustration. We are all exhausted." she told AFP.
Protests and Demands
At 8:11 pm (1911 GMT), the time when Valencia regional authorities issued an alert more than 12 hours after a warning by the national weather service, several people played alarms on their mobile phones and chanted slogans calling for regional leader Carlos Mazon to resign or be jailed. Similar rallies were held in towns and cities across Valencia, organised by trade unions, associations, and local organisations.
Another protest is expected in Spain’s third city Valencia on Saturday. A first demonstration on Nov 9 drew 130,000 furious citizens demanding Mazon step down. "We have to be extraordinarily understanding with the protests… there are still lots of people who have received nothing, so we cannot rest," Mazon told reporters on Friday, announcing the reopening of Valencia’s metro on Dec 3.
Government Response
Thousands of troops, police, firefighters, and volunteers continue to clear debris, repair damage, and extract mud from garages, basements, and car parks in the traumatised Valencia region. Spain’s economy minister Carlos Cuerpo on Thursday reeled off a dizzying list of damaged property according to insurance data, including 69,000 homes, 125,000 vehicles, and 12,500 businesses.
The government has scrambled to put together aid packages collectively worth €16.6 billion (US$17.5 billion) in grants and loans to help stricken citizens. However, many residents feel "abandoned" by politicians.
Conclusion
The devastating floods in Spain have left a trail of destruction and heartbreak, with thousands of people still struggling to recover. The government’s response has been widely criticized, and protests continue to be held across the country. As the people of Valencia work to rebuild their communities, they are demanding accountability and action from their leaders.
FAQs
Q: How many people died in the floods?
A: 230 people died in the floods.
Q: How much damage was caused by the floods?
A: According to insurance data, 69,000 homes, 125,000 vehicles, and 12,500 businesses were damaged.
Q: What is the government’s response to the disaster?
A: The government has announced aid packages worth €16.6 billion (US$17.5 billion) in grants and loans to help stricken citizens.
Q: Why are there ongoing protests?
A: Protests are ongoing due to a lack of trust in the government’s response to the disaster and a desire for accountability and action.