The king and prime minister of Spain arrived at the scene of a national tragedy to a hostile crowd chanting “murderers” and hurling mud at them. As Felipe VI walked on and spoke to survivors, Pedro Sánchez instead slipped into his black car as protesters followed him shouting insults,

Residents living among ruins and dead bodies decry the response of authorities to the disaster — and brace for more rain.

Spanish authorities suspect “violent fringe” groups were part of the mob that struck the Spanish prime minister and hurled mud at the king and queen, the interior minister said on Monday.

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez were met with anger in Paiporta, a town badly hit by the devastating floods in Valencia.

It was an unprecedented incident for a royal house that carefully crafts the image of monarchs adored by their country of more than 48 million people.