Trained at Valencia, Spanish forward Ferran Torres has expressed his support for the victims of the recent devastating floods that struck southeastern Spain, while joining the voices critical of the government’s handling of the disaster.
The latest figures report 217 deaths, with 213 occurring in the region of Valencia alone, and dozens still missing. These deadly floods are the worst Spain has seen since October 1973, when 300 people lost their lives. In the face of such a catastrophe, survivors expressed their anger this Sunday toward Spanish political leaders during the visit of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Paiporta, the hardest-hit town.
“We need a change in this country!” “Murderers! Murderers!” the crowd repeatedly shouted, targeting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Carlos Mazón, the right-wing president of the Valencian region, while throwing mud and objects at the royal motorcade. The government is under fire for issuing a late alert to residents on Tuesday evening, despite the region being placed under “red alert” by meteorological services earlier that morning. The slow response in providing aid to the victims has also sparked outrage, a sentiment shared by Ferran Torres.
Born in the region and having trained at Valencia CF, the 24-year-old Barça striker has mobilized in recent days, sending supplies, including clothing, to those affected by the floods. He also took to social media to express his “frustration” and “anger” toward the government officials.
“Today, I don’t even have the strength to go to the stadium to support my teammates (who are playing against Espanyol at 4:15 p.m.). We need a change in this country! The entire nation must come together. This could happen anywhere. The state is failing. The people are saving the people,” he declared.
His message was accompanied by an image of the Valencian Community flag, stuck in the mud left by the torrential rains.
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