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King Felipe and Officials Face Hostile Crowd in Flood-Hit Valencia Region Amid Rising Death Toll
Spain’s King Felipe VI faced a hostile reception from residents in Paiporta, near Valencia, during a visit to the flood-ravaged region where more than 200 people have died following devastating storms. Residents, angered by what they called an inadequate response to the natural disaster, booed, shouted insults, and threw eggs at the monarch as he arrived with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Valencia regional governor Carlos Mazón to show solidarity with affected communities.
The visit was part of a series of appearances by national and local officials aiming to assess the damage and reassure the public amid mounting frustration. However, tensions quickly escalated when, after posing briefly for photos, the royals and officials faced shouts of “murderers” and “do more.” Some in the crowd surged forward, prompting King Felipe to open an umbrella as makeshift protection. Despite the security personnel’s efforts to contain the situation, Felipe lowered his umbrella at one point to listen to a resident who confronted him, remaining composed as police struggled to hold back the crowd.
The recent floods, now confirmed to have claimed 214 lives, have brought severe damage to communities across the Valencia region, leaving many in grief and struggling to rebuild. One of the latest victims identified was a 70-year-old woman whose body was discovered more than 12 kilometers from her home. With the death toll continuing to rise, local frustration has grown, largely focused on what residents describe as a slow and poorly coordinated emergency response.
Prime Minister Sánchez has acknowledged the public’s anger, stating over the weekend that the crisis represents “the worst natural disaster in the country’s history.” In an effort to ramp up relief efforts, Sánchez ordered an additional 5,000 troops to aid in the clean-up and salvage operations, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting flood-affected areas.
Addressing the criticisms directly, Sánchez admitted that the official response had fallen short. “I know there are severe problems and shortages,” he said, adding, “There are collapsed services, entire neighborhoods buried under mud, and people still desperately searching for missing loved ones. I know we have to do better, and we are committed to giving our all.”
Despite assurances from officials, frustrations have continued to simmer as many affected residents remain without access to their homes, and essential services are still struggling to resume in the hardest-hit areas. Local leaders, meanwhile, are working with national agencies to coordinate aid distribution, assess infrastructure damage, and address immediate shelter needs for those displaced by the disaster.
As relief operations continue, Spain’s government faces mounting pressure to address not only the current crisis but also to take proactive steps to prevent similar disasters in the future. For now, residents in the Valencia region are left to pick up the pieces, with many hoping for faster and more comprehensive assistance as they work to rebuild.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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