Violence erupts during protests over handling of Spanish floods (VIDEOS)

Clashes between protesters and police broke out in Valencia and Madrid during large-scale demonstrations on Saturday over Spanish authorities’ insufficient response to deadly floods that took place across Spain several weeks ago.

At least 220 people were killed and thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed when a rapid deluge caused by heavy rains inundated several towns in the province of Valencia in eastern Spain last month. Some 80 people are still missing as a result of what officials are calling one of Europe’s worst natural disasters in decades.

Around 130,000 demonstrators took to the streets of the city of Valencia to demand the resignation of Carlos Mazon, the head of the provincial government, El Pais newspaper reported.

Locals blame Mazon for failing to issue an alert about the flooding soon enough on October 29; the water had already been pouring into residential areas by the time he did so. The politician had defended himself by claiming that he had not been promptly notified about the seriousness of the situation by the government’s water monitoring body.

The protesters chanted “Murderers” and “Mazon resign,” while carrying banners bearing messages such as “You killed us” and “Our hands are stained with mud, yours with blood.”

The rally began without incident, but tensions escalated when the crowds reached the city council building. Videos from the scene captured the police using batons to fend off rioters. Some fought back with brooms, which they had brought as symbols of their efforts to clean up after the deluge.

The demonstrators tossed flares, stones and mud at the building. Some also left dirty boots outside the city council as a sign of their frustration with local authorities. The building, however, only suffered minor damage during the protest, according to Reuters.

Thousands participated in a similar protest in Madrid, many carrying Spanish flags. They chanted slogans critical of both Mazon and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. At some point, rioters in the crowd dismantled the barricades which had been erected and pelted police with flares and stones. The officers responded with batons and tear gas, prompting a stampede which was captured on camera.

People also demonstrated in Alicante, Elche and other locations to decry the Spanish authorities’ mishandling of the floods.