Flooding in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands
22:35
Rescue operations are underway after severe storms caused flooding in western Germany. The death toll from the storms and flooding now stands at 43 and is likely to rise. “I mourn for those who lost their lives in this disaster. We don’t know the numbers yet, but they will be high,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
After heavy rains, streams in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia turned into rushing rivers and caused damage in many towns. Power outages paralyzed entire regions. The water level in the Rhine, Ruhr, Moselle and smaller rivers rose.
At least 18 people lost their lives in the Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler region alone, according to police reports. Many residents are still considered missing, and entire villages are cut off from the world. More than 70 people were reported missing in the storm-affected areas this morning.
Police have set up a hotline for relatives of missing persons. Residents of the region have been asked to send videos and photos that may provide clues about the missing.
A state of natural disaster has been declared in the district of Ahrweiler. Part of the village of Schuld, which belongs to the district, was under water; according to the police, several houses have collapsed and “numerous” others are threatened with collapse.
