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Thousands of people demonstrated Saturday in Valenciain eastern Spain due to the actions of regional authorities before devastating floods this caused more than 220 dead in one of the worst natural disasters to hit Europe in decades.

During the latest flood protest, demonstrators filled Valencia center demanding resignation of regional government president Carlos Masonand chanting “Murderers!”

“Our hands are dirty, yours are bloody.”read the banner. Some protesters threw muddy shoes in front of the council building in protest.

Residents of the affected areas accuse Mason of it’s too late to issue a warningat 8:00 pm on October 29, long after the water had already reached many nearby towns.

Valencia’s leader said he would have raised the alarm sooner if the official water control agency notified authorities the seriousness of the situation. Mason did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

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“We want to express our outrage and anger at the mismanagement of this disaster that has affected so many people,” said Anna Oliver, President Valencia cultural eventone of about 30 groups organizing the protest.

After several days of storm warnings from the National Weather Service beginning on October 25, some municipalities and local entities They sounded the alarm long before the regional government.

For example, the University of Valencia warned its employees not to go to work on October 28. Several city councils have suspended activitiesThey closed public institutions and asked people to stay home.

Meteorological service AEMET raised the threat level due to heavy rainfall in the area to a red alert at 07:36 on 29 October.

About 80 people remain missing. deadliest flood in a European country after the floods Portugal in 1967 caused about 500 dead.

Reuters