FLOOD RAGE
Moment Spain flood survivors hurl mud at King Felipe & smash Prime Minister’s car as red rain alert sparks MORE chaos
Watch the video below as officials tried to shield the Spanish royal from the flying objects with an umbrella
ANGRY Spain flood survivors threw mud at King Felipe as a fresh red rain warning was put in place.
Fuming residents chanted "murderers!" as the monarch and his wife Queen Letizia walked through the ravaged streets of Paiporta, just outside Valencia.
15
15
15
15
A red rain warning is in place for Valencia on Sunday night, with orange and yellow warnings as far north as Barcelona.
The already soaked city could see 90mm land before midnight, with Spanish forecasters saying it poses an extreme risk
Bodyguards opened umbrellas to protect the royals and officials as protesters hurled mud at them.
After being forced to seek protection from the mud, King Felipe remained calm and made several efforts to speak to residents.
Read more on Spain's floods
One person appeared to weep on his shoulder as the monarch then shook hands with a man.
On his visit, King Felipe insisted on trying to speak to people despite the backlash.
He was filmed patting two young men on their backs and sharing a quick embrace - with mud stains visible on his black rain coat.
According to a journalist for Spanish broadcaster RTVE near the King, one woman wept and told him she didn't have food and nappies.
Most read in The Sun
Another person begged: "Don't abandon us."
But the public rage over for the haphazard management of the crisis came to a boil on Sunday.
Mum sobs as she begs for help to find daughter missing for 4 days in Valencia floods as 10k troops deployed & 213 dead
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had to be evacuated from the scene, according to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, as chaos erupted when the official contingent started to walk.
Footage showed people attacking the PM's car, chasing the black SUV as police sirens were heard in the background.
A crowd surrounded the vehicle repeatedly shouted “son of a b****” and "get out, ba****d" before some began to throw objects at the windows.
A separate video showed a group smashing and kicking the car as it attempted to make a turn and leave.
15
15
One man grabbed the car's side-view mirror while another hit the back window.
A car described as Sanchez’s vehicle was later pictured with its back windows smashed out and big dents all along the side.
There were no immediate reports of the Spanish PM suffering any injuries. He has yet to make any official comment.
The government has been accused of doing little to assist survivors - who have complained about emergency services' delayed response and a lack of food and water.
Police had to step in - with some officers on horseback - to control the furious crowds who hurled mud and wielded shovels and poles in the air.
"Get out!" and "killers!" rang out among other insults.
15
15
Queen Letizia and regional Valencia President Carlo Mazón were also in the contingent that visited the city.
The queen spoke to women and hugged several survivors with drops of mud on her face, hands and arms.
Mr Mazón said: “I understand the social indignation and of course I stay to receive it. It is my political and moral obligation.”
Speaking of King Felipe, who tried to reason with the angry crowds, he added: “The King's attitude this morning was exemplary.”
15
15
Over 200 people have died from Tuesday's floods and thousands have had their homes destroyed by the wall of water and mud.
At least 60 of the dead were in Paiporta, the epicentre of the disaster.
The floods had started filling Paiporta with crushing waves when the regional officials issued an alert to mobile phones that sounded two hours too late.
And more anger has been fuelled by the inability of officials to respond quickly to aftermath.
Most of the cleanup of the layers and layers of mud and debris that has invaded countless homes has been done by residents and thousands of volunteers.
15
15
15
After half an hour of chaos, the monarchs got in their officials cars and left with a mounted police escort.
It comes as 10,000 troops have been deployed over the weekend to join the frantic rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Sanchez had announced on Saturday that 5,000 soldiers will be deployed - on top of the at least 2,000 already on the ground.
A further 5,000 police officers will also be sent to flood-hit areas, as well as a Spanish navy ship to accommodate helicopters.
Rescue teams continue to hunt for victims trapped in flooded garages and cars in Valencia, sparking fears of a "mass grave."
Gut-wrenching images of Bonaire Shopping Centre near Valencia show escalators leading down to the basement car park underwater.
It comes as:
- Flooded car park in Valencia sparks fears of a "mass grave"
- A hugely popular Spanish tourist hotspot goes into lockdown
- Moment a waterspout tornado lands during devastating floods
- Officials desperately try to rescue people caught in the disaster
- Devastated towns are plagued by looting
- Former Valencia player is killed in flash floods
And it's causing concern about the final death toll from one of Europe’s worst-ever natural disasters.
Meanwhile, a devastated mum made a tearful plea to help find her missing daughter.
Janine Mercado, who has not been seen by her family in four days following Valencia's floods, is among the many missing.
Speaking to Sky News, Janine's tearful mum has begged rescuers to find her.
Read More on The Sun
She said: "I ask for help in finding Janine. We’re looking for her and if she is out there and suddenly doesn’t remember us, Janine please contact us.
Sobbing, the heartbroken mum added: "Your family is looking for you. We haven’t stopped searching for you. We love you very much."
15
15
Topics