Dozens dead as record rainfall hits Germany and Belgium
More than 60 people are reported dead in flooding that has swept across large swathes of western Germany and Belgium and with dozens more missing, the death toll could rise after flooding turned streams and streets into raging torrents, sweeping away cars and causing buildings to collapse.
More than 60 people have died and dozens of people 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 overnight 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. "We still don't know the number. But it will be many."
She pledged everything would be done to find those still missing, adding: "'Heavy rain and flooding' doesn't capture what happened."
Authorities in North Rhinewestphalia state said at least 30 people have died while 28 deaths were reported in Rhineland-palatinate state to the south.
Belgian media reported eight deaths in the country.
Authorities in Euskirchen said eight deaths had been reported there. Rescue operations were hampered by phone and internet connections going down in parts of the county, which is southwest 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 overnight in the village of Schuld in the Eifel, southwest of Cologne.
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 Vesdre river 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," mayor Philippe Godin told RTBF network. It was unclear whether all inhabitants had been able to escape unhurt.
Major highways were inundated in the south and east of Belgium, and the railway service said all traffic was stopped.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to help those affected.
"My thoughts are with the families of the victims of the devastating floods and those who have lost their homes," she tweeted.
"The EU is ready to help." The full extent of the damage across the region was still unclear 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.
Many of the dead were discovered after floodwaters began to recede again.
Two firefighters died during rescue operations in Northrhine Westphalia, Germany's most populous state.