Floods apocalypse drowns 12 residents in their care home
Death toll hits 170 with 1,500 missing Rescuers in race to f ind survivors
RESCUERS were last night racing to find survivors of devastating floods that have wreaked havoc across Europe, killing at least 170 people, with an estimated 1,500 more missing.
The carnage resulted in the deaths of 12 severely disabled residents who drowned in their care home in Sinzig, 16 miles south of Bonn.
Reports said floodwater had swiftly filled the home and ‘swept away’ those inside. One male resident was heard shouting for help from the water for hours. It is unclear if he survived.
Stefan Möller, managing director of the home, said the water rose too quickly for an evacuation.
He added: ‘The residents were not alone. We had a night watchman in the neighbouring house. But when the employee came over [to evacuate], the tidal wave came. He
‘Their fate is ripping our hearts apart’
couldn’t get out and couldn’t help. It’s terrible.’
The floods left a trail of destruction across Germany and neighbouring countries including Belgium and the Netherlands.
In Germany, president FrankWalter Steinmeier said he was ‘stunned’ by the disaster and pledged support for the families of victims and those whose homes have been destroyed. The death toll in Germany alone is more than 140, and expected to rise.
Visiting the town of Erftstadt, 12 miles from Cologne, in North RhineWestphalia yesterday, Mr Steinmeier said: ‘We mourn with those that have lost friends, acquaintances, family members. Their fate is ripping our hearts apart.’
More than 90 people were known to have died in Ahrweiler county, south of Bonn, while 43 were confirmed dead in North RhineWestphalia, the country’s most populous state.
Footage showed homes being washed away and streets turned into raging rivers. Entire towns were submerged and dams and rivers overwhelmed. Those left homeless or seeking news about family members were unable to contact rescuers because telephone lines have been damaged and mobile phone masts destroyed.
Some posted photos of missing loved ones on social media, including Harry Neufeld, 30, from Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, a spa town, who posted pictures of his father Hans, 71, mother Ella, 59, and his 22-year-old brother Frank on Facebook after they disappeared on Thursday. ‘Since then, there has been no trace,’ he said.
At least 27 people have died in Belgium, where many train lines and roads were blocked.
European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen visited floodhit Pepinster, south-east of Liege, yesterday accompanied by the
Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo.
As she walked through the town, near Liege, Ms Von Der Leyen said: ‘Europe is with you. We share your grief. We will help you to rebuild.’
On Friday, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited Pepinster as well.
In the province of Limburg, north of Liege, tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated and the emergency services were on high alert as overflowing rivers threatened towns and villages.
The European Flood Awareness System said it issued an extreme flood warning early last week, but it appeared the authorities in Germany and Belgium were slow to react when two months of rain fell in just two days.