TENS OF THOUSANDS of people took to the streets of Valencia, Spain, on Saturday, a month after catastrophic flooding struck the region, demanding the resignation of local government officials for their inadequate emergency response.

This protest marked the second significant demonstration calling for Carlos Mazón, the president of the Valencia region, to step down. Despite the outcry and pressure, Mazón has flatly refused to resign. Instead, he has made some adjustments to his Cabinet and has appointed a retired general to oversee the ongoing cleanup operations.

The anger among the citizens, particularly those affected by the floods, has been palpable. Many feel that the situation was mishandled, with negligence contributing to the devastating aftermath of the flash floods that occurred on October 29 and 30. The destruction was catastrophic, resulting in at least 230 fatalities and leaving thousands of homes and vehicles either damaged or completely destroyed.

Critics have pointed out that Mazón’s administration failed to issue timely flood alerts to residents through their mobile phones, with notifications only being sent after the flooding had already begun in some areas. During Saturday’s protest, participants collectively played the alarm sound they received on their devices, highlighting the failure to warn them adequately.

As recovery efforts got underway, authorities found themselves struggling to respond to the extent of the devastation, leading to significant delays in rescue operations. The ongoing cleanup of the thick mud deposited by the surging waters is still a priority for the affected communities as they come to terms with the destruction left in the floods’ wake.