Valencia, LOGIC.co.id – Approximately 100,000 people gathered in Valencia, Spain, on Saturday (November 30, 2024), to protest the government’s slow response to the devastating floods that claimed 230 lives. The tragedy, which occurred on October 29, 2024, has been described as the worst natural disaster in Spain in a generation.
The massive demonstration reflects public outrage toward both the central and regional governments, which are accused of failing to issue early warnings and provide an adequate response to the catastrophe that destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and vehicles.
Protesters Demand Accountability
Protesters called for Valencia’s regional leader, Carlos Mazon, to resign or face legal consequences, accusing him of failing to act swiftly to mitigate the disaster’s impact.
“What went wrong? Incompetence. That’s why we’re here. Too many incompetent people are still being paid,” said Raquel Ferrandis, a 55-year-old teacher from Paiporta, one of the hardest-hit areas. She carried a banner honoring the memory of her friend’s mother, who died in the floods.
Emergency alerts via mobile phones, which could have saved lives, were only received by some residents after floodwaters had already inundated the streets. In many municipalities, state aid took days to arrive, leaving communities reliant on volunteers for food, clean water, and cleaning supplies.
Criticism of Local and Central Governments
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s central government was also heavily criticized, with accusations of failing to take decisive action to support the affected regions. While disaster management is primarily the responsibility of regional governments, the central government has the authority to provide direct assistance or take control in extreme emergencies.
“If people had been warned earlier and provided with the resources they needed, this tragedy could have been avoided,” said Juan Carlos Ribes, a protester from a small town 50 kilometers from Valencia.
Protesters condemned the Valencia government’s delayed warnings, which came 12 hours after Spain’s meteorological agency issued a maximum alert for heavy rain and potential flooding.
Background on the Disaster
The catastrophic floods on October 29, 2024, caused widespread destruction, particularly in Valencia. Thousands of homes were swept away, shops were destroyed, and vehicles were submerged. The disaster highlights Spain’s lack of preparedness for increasingly extreme climate change-related events.
The anger in Valencia mirrors broader dissatisfaction with the government’s inability to anticipate and manage such crises.
Public Demands
Protesters are demanding explanations and assurances from the government to improve disaster response systems. They are also calling for a thorough investigation into the delayed response, which many believe contributed to the high death toll.
Spain now faces mounting pressure to enhance early warning systems and improve infrastructure to better withstand future disasters.
