In the Ahrweiler district of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, the death toll has risen to 90. Police say on Saturday morning that they fear the death toll will rise further. At the same time, the police have been notified of 618 injured in the district.
In the Ahrweiler district of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, the death toll has risen to 90. Police say on Saturday morning that they fear the death toll will rise further. At the same time, the police have received reports of 618 injured in the district.
Western parts of Germany have been hardest hit by the floods, which have also affected Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
43 people were confirmed dead in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, while 20 lost their lives across the border into Belgium.
On Saturday, the water masses withdrew somewhat in the hardest hit areas, but it is expected that more dead will be found. Many people are still missing two days after extreme rains led to flooding.
Enormous cleanup
On Saturday, soldiers and firefighters are sent to the flood-hit areas to help with the clean-up work.
– The task is enormous, says Solingen mayor in Solingen, a city in the Ruhr area.
In the hardest-hit areas of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, people gradually returned to their homes, where they were met with depressing eyesight.
– The last 48 hours have been a nightmare. We have gone in circles and can not do anything, says baker Cornelia Schlösser in the village Schuld, who lost his job to the flood.
Going to visit
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to travel to Cologne on Saturday, where extensive rescue work has been carried out and many have had their homes destroyed.
Prime Minister Angela Merkel has not yet gone to visit any of the affected areas, but a spokesperson says that a visit will soon be considered.
Many people are still missing, but it is difficult to get in touch with people as a result of the mobile network, places have been destroyed.
– We must assume that we will find more victims, says mayor Carolin Weitzel in Erftstadt.
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