THIS is the moment a crowd of angry survivors of Spain’s floods tossed mud and stones at King Felipe in his public visit after the disaster.
Government officials accompanied the monarch who tried to talk to locals while others shouted insults at him in the ravaged city of Paiporta, just outside Valencia.
ReutersFootage showed officials shielding King Felipe (C) as crowds threw mud and stones at him[/caption]
ReutersThe angry mob shouted insults like ‘get out’ and ‘murderers’[/caption]
ReutersThe King walked through the ravaged streets of Paiporta as police tried to contain the furious survivors[/caption]
ReutersHe was seen talking to youngsters in the middle of the crowd[/caption]
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 officers on horseback to keep back the crowd of several dozens.
“Get out!” and “Killers!” rang out among other insults.
After being forced to seek protection from the mud, the King remained calm and made several efforts to speak to individual residents.
One person appeared to have wept on his shoulder as the monarch then shook hands with a man.
It was an unprecedented incident for a Royal House that takes great care to craft an image of a monarch who is liked by the nation.
Queen Letizia and regional Valencia President Carlo Mazón were also in the contingent.
Separate footage showed the people of Valencia attacking the car of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Dozens of fuming locals were seen chasing the PM’s black SUV as police sirens could be heard in the background.
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.
AFPThe muddy flying objects were hurled as an angry crowd shouted insults at the monarch[/caption]
AFPThe Spanish royal visited the most devastated towns after this week’s tragedy[/caption]
Some 10,000 troops have been deployed over the weekend to join the frantic rescue efforts.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez 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.
And it’s causing concern about the final death toll from one of Europe’s worst-ever natural disasters.
It comes after 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.
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.”
AlamyThe royal spoke to several members of the public amid the chaos on Sunday[/caption]
AFPThe King was accompanied by government officials, who shielded him from the flying objects and mud[/caption]
AlamyA man appears in pain next to the King as the crowd of locals surround the Spanish royal[/caption]