Dhaka, Nov. 4 -- The heavily criticised leader of Spain's Valencia region said Monday he was stepping down, a year after the area was hit by floods in the country's deadliest natural disaster in a generation.

"The reality is that on Monday I am the focus of criticism, noise, hatred, and tension," Carlos Mazon said in a televised address, adding: "I can't go on anymore."

Mazon has faced fierce scrutiny over his handling of the October 29, 2024 catastrophe that killed more than 230 people, but has consistently rebuffed calls for his resignation.

Last week, relatives of the victims shouted "murderer", "coward" and "get out" at Mazon as he arrived for a state memorial service for the victims in the Mediterranean city of Valencia.

Mazon's ...