King and Queen of Spain Pelted With Mud On Flood Town Visit

Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia were left streaked in mud today and a bodyguard was left bleeding after a disastrous visit to the town of Paiporta, which was hit by a devastating flash flood which killed over 200 people this week. The crowd, angry at what they view as complacency, neglect and inefficiency in managing the crisis, screamed abuse at the royals, calling them “murderers.” The visiting royals were pelted with mud and other objects, and a bodyguard suffered a head injury, which left him bleeding profusely after being hit by a thrown object. The unruly crowd, some wielding shovels and poles, were ultimately pushed back by mounted police. Reports said tempers flared after the royal security team restricted access on a cleared road, disrupting cleanup efforts. Local volunteers, who had been working to clear debris, saw this as a casual disregard for their situation. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who also visited Paiporta, was evacuated for his safety as tensions grew. Public outrage over the authorities’ handling of the second-deadliest flood in Europe this century seems set to grow as the region remains engulfed in grief and frustration.