02:01Tens of thousands took to the streets of Valencia on Saturday, marching against authorities’ handling of last week’s deadly floods, demanding the resignation of the regional president Carlos Mazon.
Footage shows police officers retreating as they are hit with a barrage of projectiles by swarms of chanting protesters. Police used batons to beat back the demonstrators as they waved mops and ‘You Killed Us!’ signs outside Valencia City Hall.
Regional leader Mazon has faced widespread criticism for a slow and chaotic emergency response, issuing flood alerts hours after the worst of the flooding had subsided. Valencia was hit by unprecedented flooding last week as the DANA storm swallowed roads and destroyed homes, killing at least 215 people, according to Spain's interior ministry on Monday, with the number of fatalities expected to rise.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced an aid package for Valencia amounting to 10.6 billion euros and said around 15,000 troops were deployed to the region.
Authorities have been criticised for their response to the disaster. On Sunday angry protesters threw mud at Sanchez, King Felipe and Queen Letizia shouting 'murderers' and 'get out'.
Sanchez met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, who said the bloc had activated the Copernicus satellite system, an earth monitoring programme, to help coordinate rescue efforts and pledged that the EU will help Spain.
Violent clashes, police retreat amid wave of projectiles as thousands protest govt. reaction to deadly floods in Valencia
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Valencia on Saturday, marching against authorities’ handling of last week’s deadly floods, demanding the resignation of the regional president Carlos Mazon.
Footage shows police officers retreating as they are hit with a barrage of projectiles by swarms of chanting protesters. Police used batons to beat back the demonstrators as they waved mops and ‘You Killed Us!’ signs outside Valencia City Hall.
Regional leader Mazon has faced widespread criticism for a slow and chaotic emergency response, issuing flood alerts hours after the worst of the flooding had subsided. Valencia was hit by unprecedented flooding last week as the DANA storm swallowed roads and destroyed homes, killing at least 215 people, according to Spain's interior ministry on Monday, with the number of fatalities expected to rise.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced an aid package for Valencia amounting to 10.6 billion euros and said around 15,000 troops were deployed to the region.
Authorities have been criticised for their response to the disaster. On Sunday angry protesters threw mud at Sanchez, King Felipe and Queen Letizia shouting 'murderers' and 'get out'.
Sanchez met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, who said the bloc had activated the Copernicus satellite system, an earth monitoring programme, to help coordinate rescue efforts and pledged that the EU will help Spain.
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Valencia on Saturday, marching against authorities’ handling of last week’s deadly floods, demanding the resignation of the regional president Carlos Mazon.
Footage shows police officers retreating as they are hit with a barrage of projectiles by swarms of chanting protesters. Police used batons to beat back the demonstrators as they waved mops and ‘You Killed Us!’ signs outside Valencia City Hall.
Regional leader Mazon has faced widespread criticism for a slow and chaotic emergency response, issuing flood alerts hours after the worst of the flooding had subsided. Valencia was hit by unprecedented flooding last week as the DANA storm swallowed roads and destroyed homes, killing at least 215 people, according to Spain's interior ministry on Monday, with the number of fatalities expected to rise.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced an aid package for Valencia amounting to 10.6 billion euros and said around 15,000 troops were deployed to the region.
Authorities have been criticised for their response to the disaster. On Sunday angry protesters threw mud at Sanchez, King Felipe and Queen Letizia shouting 'murderers' and 'get out'.
Sanchez met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, who said the bloc had activated the Copernicus satellite system, an earth monitoring programme, to help coordinate rescue efforts and pledged that the EU will help Spain.