After the first information emerged about the devastating consequences of DANA in Valencia, the kings were very attentive to the victims and adapted their agenda to this situation. Don Felipe and Dona Letizia Amidst the tension caused by the visit, they traveled to the worst-hit areas on November 3, exemplifying courage and humanity. They rejected suggestions to withdraw due to insecurity and listened to and comforted those who had lost everything, who again nine days later relied on the support of the head of state.
© HM King’s HouseAmidst the alert for a new DANA in the region, King Felipe traveled this Tuesday, November 12, to the Valencian city of Betera, headquarters of the Jaime I military base, to learn about the current situation through three army units. and military emergency units, who are cooperating after the tragedy caused by the cold drop.
© HM King’s House
© HM King’s HouseDuring meals he shared at the base, where the menu consisted of pasta with tuna and grilled meatballs, King was interested in each soldier’s personal testimonies. He thanked them all for the work he was doing and highlighted that they were working “shoulder to shoulder, man to man, but with one heart.”
© HM King’s HousePhilip VI addressed the media as he left the base, an unusual gesture. He explained that he found the military in “very high spirits and morale” because “there is no greater satisfaction than seeing people being helped in an operation without origins on national territory.” He indicated that the experience for them was “extraordinary, professional and humane” and that they left the citizens with gratitude. Furthermore, he wanted to highlight that they were “working day and night beyond their capacity, adapting to every stage of the emergency.”
© HM King’s House
© HM King’s HouseThe King’s visit continued with an aerial reconnaissance by helicopter of the affected area by DANA to see first-hand the extent of the tragedy. Immediately afterwards, it was transferred to the naval ship “Galicia”, docked in the port of Valencia with more than 300 soldiers, who joined those deployed to help with the emergency. The ship also has a hangar and flight deck for operating several helicopters simultaneously, garages for transporting large numbers of vehicles, a submersible dock for handling boats and a hospital with two operating rooms and eight ICU beds.
© SMEL Ray HouseThe last stop was the army’s main logistics base, which is located at the Valencia trade fair and houses more than 2,500 military personnel.
His next visit was to Valencia with Queen Letizia
This is the worst natural calamity to hit our country in recent times and it will take a long time to get some normalcy back. A long process in which kings will be present, as King advanced: “The desire to be present in various ways in all affected places is going to be a constant.” Next week Mr Felipe and Ms Letizia will return to Valencia “considering the situation we are facing here and each of us having to stay in our place.”
