130,000 demonstrators in Valencia demand the resignation of the regional president

A large demonstration in Valencia called for the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazón. According to local authorities, there were 130,000 people on the march.

The demonstrators say that Mazón too late with flood warnings, which were only issued a few hours after the disaster began. Heavy hail and torrential rains caused deadly floods late last month, which killed at least 220 people. tens people are still missing.

The demonstrators also hold Mazón responsible for the slow delivery of aid. According to them, the residents of the area had to do without help for days. Activists accused Mazón of being a murderer, among other things.

The town hall was vandalized with mud and some of the demonstrators clashed with the riot police.

See how the show went here:

The criticism is not only aimed at the regional president, but also at the national authorities. The initiators of the show say that the actions of the Spanish government are passive. “It should have immediately put pressure on Valencia’s administrators to do what they can.” The central government in Madrid should have done much more.

In addition to Mazón’s resignation, demonstrators are demanding a criminal investigation to find out exactly what happened and who is responsible.

They also want shelter for people who have lost their homes, no more construction allowed in flood prone areas and better public transport, as many people no longer own a car due to the disaster.

Earlier today, Mazón told the media that there will be accountability, but that now is “the first time to clean our streets, help people and rebuild the houses.” He also said that he respected the protest march.

Mazón had also said before that the regional government and he could not have foreseen the magnitude of the disaster. But on the day of the disaster, the State Meteorological Agency sent a red weather warning to the relevant authorities.

About 8,500 soldiers and 10,000 police officers were deployed in the area. The Spanish Interior Minister has announced that the high-speed line between Madrid and Valencia will be put back into service next week. A highway is reopening.