**Mass Protests Erupt in Valencia Over Flood Response Failures**

Valencia witnessed a massive outpouring of public outrage as tens of thousands protested against the authorities’ handling of recent catastrophic floods, calling for regional head Carlos Mazón to resign. Demonstrators filled the streets on Saturday evening, chanting, "we are stained with mud, you are stained with blood," reflecting the deep anger over the disaster response that saw over 200 fatalities and left 80 people still missing.

Critics have pointed fingers at local authorities for delaying flood warnings, worsening the calamity caused by torrential rains in October that hit Valencia and nearby provinces. The frustration culminated in clashes with the police towards the end of the demonstration. Images from the protests show Valencia City Hall defaced with mud, while reports indicate that protesters hurled chairs and other objects.

Mayor María José Catalá responded to the unrest by sharing pictures of broken windows and a video showing an apparent fire, condemning the acts of vandalism by stating, “Vandalism is not the solution.” The city council echoed these sentiments, asserting that Valencia itself had been a victim of the floods.

Anna Oliver, one of the protest organizers, voiced the collective fury and disappointment at the authorities’ disastrous management, which has left thousands without homes and streets still engulfed in mud and debris. This public outpouring of grief and rage isn’t a first; last week saw King and Queen of Spain pelted with mud during a visit to the flood-stricken town of Paiporta, with even Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez targeted by objects before being swiftly evacuated.

Carlos Mazón, associated with the conservative Popular Party, defended his administration's actions, stating that the central government did not provide adequate warning and citing the unpredictable nature of the disaster. In Spain, regional governments hold the reins of disaster response and can request additional resources from the central government. However, reports reveal a significant communication lag, as the weather agency had issued storm warnings from October 25, but local authorities delayed flood alerts to mobile phones until the flooding had already begun.

Further controversies arose with revelations that the local councillor in charge of emergencies was unaware of the mobile alert system. Moreover, media reports indicated that as the devastating floods started, Mazón was at a lunch meeting with a journalist and only joined the emergency coordination meeting at 19:00 local time, a claim which government sources dismissed as “irrelevant.”

The floods stemmed from a Dana phenomenon, caused by the collision of warm and moist air with cold air, creating severe weather conditions. Scientists have cited climate change as a factor that amplified the impact of the floods. Despite the heavy rains on Thursday, no new casualties were reported. Meanwhile, the aftermath continues to affect the region severely, with Valencia’s La Liga match against Espanyol postponed as the city grapples with recovery efforts.