Dozens dead after devastating floods

More than 40 people have died and dozens are missing in Germany and neighbouring Belgium after heavy flooding turned streams and streets into raging torrents, sweeping away cars and causing buildings to collapse.

Storms across parts of western Europe in recent days caused rivers and reservoirs to burst their banks, resulting in several flash floods as rain-soaked soil failed to absorb any more water.

“I grieve for those who have lost their lives in this disaster,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during a visit to Washington, expressing shock at the scope of the flooding. “We still don’t know the number. But it will be many.”

She pledged everything would be done to find those still missing.

Authorities in the western German region of

Euskirchen said eight deaths had been reported there in connection with the floods. Rescue operations were hampered by phone and internet connections going down in parts of the county, which is south-west of Cologne.

Officials said 18 people had died in Ahrweiler county, south of Euskirchen. Up to 70 people were reported missing after several houses collapsed in the

village of Schuld in the Eifel, a volcanic region of rolling hills and small valleys.

Dozens more were trapped on the roofs of their houses awaiting rescue. Authorities used inflatable boats and helicopters, and the German army deployed 200 soldiers to assist in the rescue operation.

“There are people dead, there are people missing, there are many who are still in danger,” the governor of Rhinelandpalatinate state, Malu Dreyer, told the regional parliament.

“We have never seen such a disaster. It’s really devastating.”

Across the border in Belgium, the River Vesdre broke its banks and sent masses of water churning through the streets of Pepinster, close to Liege, its destructive power bringing down some buildings.

“Several homes have collapsed,” said mayor Philippe Godin. It was unclear whether all inhabitants had been able to escape unhurt.

The full extent of the damage across the region was still unknown after many villages were cut off by floodwater and landslides that made roads impassable.

Videos posted on social media showed cars floating down streets and houses partly collapsed in some places.

DISASTER: Houses near the River Ahr in Germany were swept away as roads turned into raging torrents.

Substantial damage in Bad Munstereifel, Germany.