Spain lives installed in mourning and shock for six days, which has caused the worst natural disaster in the last almost 60 years in our country. The Kings, deeply dismayed, traveled to Valencia this Sunday to show their support for those affected by DANA, transmitting to them in person all their solidarity and affection.
© House of HM the KingThe first place they visited this morning was the advanced command post, located in Paiporta, to find out the last hour of the rescue tasks and recovery of basic supplies after the DANA floods. Later, they will visit Chiva, one of the areas most affected by this terrible cold drop that has hit the Valencian Community. The images of the meeting speak for themselves, Don Felipe VI and Doña Letizia, with very serious faces, have taken on the pain and suffering of the people who have lost their family or friends, after a devastating storm that already raises the death toll above 200.
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© Getty ImagesThe Kings, with serious and sorrowful faces, wanted to express their condolences to many of those fellow citizens, in addition to verifying ‘in situ’ the very desolate panorama that is presented there after the most destructive cold drop of the century. During their visit, they were accompanied by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, as well as by the head of the Executive of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón. Doña Letizia, who came in deep mourning, shared an emotional hug with one of the neighbors upon her arrival before touring the area.
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© House of HM the KingBoth the sovereign and the queen have had the opportunity to speak with some of the victims, supporting them in their gestures and listening carefully to the traumatic experiences they have lived through. A dantesque scene that since last Tuesday it is being suffered especially in Levantine lands, and that has also severely punished areas of Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia.
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© GTRESIn addition to the constant trickle of the number of deaths that seems to have no end, there are hundreds of missing people who are wanted in despair and many others who have lost everything, after their houses were completely destroyed by the rain and mud. For this reason, the Kings remain in permanent contact with the authorities since the tragedy occurred and thus be able to be aware of each update.
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© GTRESIn that sense, as a continuation of the conversations that began last Thursday with the mayors of the towns hit by DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels), on Friday afternoon they spoke with the mayors of Chiva, Catarroja and Torrent, as well as with the councilor of AlgemesÃ. They are called to learn first-hand about the needs that confront them, as well as the urgent aid work carried out there. On the other hand, 100 members of the Royal Guard continue to collaborate on the ground in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, who were later joined by 42 agents from the Security Service of the King’s House. The latter, in collaboration with the general management of the Civil Guard, work on all those specific tasks that are being entrusted to them.
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© GTRESDon Felipe and Letizia have modified their agenda to accompany all those affected by this terrible atmospheric phenomenon. The Queen was scheduled to chair the XVI NAOS Convention (Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention) on Thursday, October 31, and present the XVII NAOS Strategy Awards, however, the organizers decided cancel the event. For his part, the King did attend the “1st Meeting of Ibero-American Cities” that was held at the NH Collection Madrid Eurobulding Hotel in Madrid. Dressed in mourning and with a very serious face, his message was directed to the victims: “We join them in their pain.”
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© GTRESSince Tuesday, October 29, they have been closely monitoring events. That same night, they sent their first and most painful message: “Our condolences to the families and strength, encouragement and all the necessary support for all those affected with the closest message and recognition to the emergency personnel.” Later, on the day 30, showed their “desolation and concern at the tragedy.” Since that same day, the national flag that presides over the rooms of the King’s House in the Zarzuela Palace flies at half-mast in compliance with Royal Decree 1117/2024. which is declared official mourning due to the floods that occurred by DANA given the magnitude of the tragedy and the dramatic situation.
© GTRESDuring these days, they have also been in contact with the mayors of the most affected areas before their visit. From Casa Real, they have announced that the agenda of Don Felipe and Doña Letizia for next week is suspended, thus canceling all the planned activities in order to closely follow the catastrophe. In fact, this Monday, the King is going to chair one of the meetings of the crisis committee to monitor the effects of Dana at the UME headquarters, in Torrejón de Ardoz.
Casa Real appreciates the messages of solidarity from foreign dignitaries
After the displays of solidarity that have arrived in Spain these days from numerous institutional representatives from other countries, as is the case of Kings Charles and Camilla of England o Guillermo and Máximo of the Netherlands, the Royal House has responded with the following statement:
Our gratitude to all heads of state, authorities and international leaders for their messages of condolence, consolation, support and solidarity with the Spanish people due to the devastating consequences of DANA. Your words of affection and brotherhood have made us feel accompanied in this terrible tragedy that devastates our country.
A text that has been disseminated on the official social media account of the institution, signed by Felipe VI and Mrs. Letizia. On the other hand, it has also been reported that the King will chair the meeting of the crisis committee this Monday morning at the UME headquarters, at the Torrejón air base, to monitor the effects of the catastrophe.