As a result of severe flooding in Western Europe, at least 47 people were killed, more were missing, and many were trapped on the roofs of houses.
On Wednesday, storms brought torrential rain, due to which rivers overflowed their banks and flooded towns and villages in Germany, Belgium and other parts of the region.
The German authorities have declared an emergency situation, as at least 42 people were killed and buildings collapsed as a result of flooding there.
«This is a disaster. There are dead, missing and still in danger, » said Malu Dreyer, Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate.
«All emergency services are on duty around the clock and risk their own lives.»
Police in the western city of Koblenz, southeast of Cologne, said at least 18 people were killed in the Arweiler district, and dozens more were missing or forced to wait for rescue on the roofs of their homes.
At least 42 people in Germany have died after floods caused by record rains. Homes were swept away or collapsed, and dozens were reported missing.
Officials linked the unusual extreme weather to the climate crisis: A weather service says about 2 months of rain fell in 1-2 days. pic.twitter.com/IHAbJKSXMa
— AJ+ (@ajplus) July 15, 2021
The authorities used inflatable boats and helicopters to search and rescue those who were stranded by the flooding, and the German army sent 200 soldiers to assist in the operation, which was hampered by blocked roads and lack of communication.
On Thursday, the authorities of Euskirchen, south of Cologne, said that at least 8 people were killed as a result of flooding.
The official death toll in the village of Schlund has not yet been updated by the Koblenz police and currently stands at 4 people. The police also reported that at least six houses collapsed there overnight and a number of missing persons were reported.
In neighboring Belgium, the Vesdre River overflowed its banks, which led to flooding in the streets of Pepinster, destroying some buildings.
According to local media reports, 4 people were killed in the eastern part of Verviers.
Floods have led to the most massive deaths in Germany in recent years.
This happened at a time when German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in Washington to meet with President Joe Biden during her last visit to the White House before she leaves this fall.
«I grieve for those who died in this disaster. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said — » We don’t know the [exact] numbers yet. But they will be big.»
She also assured that everything will be done to find the missing.
