Pope’s prayers for flooding victims
German Chancellor and President among those meeting rescue workers in devastated areas
Pope Francis has led prayers for those hit by disastrous flooding in Germany and Belgium as rescue workers battled to clear debris and the death toll climbed over 180.
Homes and cars were swept away by last week’s flash floods after days of rain turned minor rivers into raging torrents that trapped people in their homes.
POPE FRANCIS has led prayers for those hit by disastrous flooding in Germany and Belgium as rescue workers battled to clear debris and the death toll climbed above 180 fatalities.
Homes and cars were swept away by last week’s flash floods after days of rain turned minor rivers into raging torrents that trapped terrified people in their homes.
Police have put the toll from the hard-hit Ahrweiler area of western Germany’s RhinelandPalatinate state at 110, with a further 46 confirmed dead in the neighbouring state, including four firefighters. Belgium has confirmed 27 casualties.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited a flood-ravaged village named Schuld yesterday, after warnings from Germany’s president that the area will need long-term support.
As Pope Francis offered a prayer for flood victims he spoke of supporting the “efforts of all to help those who suffered great damage”.
“I express my closeness to the populations of Germany, Belgium and Holland, hit by catastrophic flooding,” he said in his first public appearance to the faithful in St Peter’s Square after major surgery.
“May the Lord welcome the deceased and comfort the family members.”
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was among those to meet with rescue workers in the town of Erftstadt on Saturday.
“A lot of people have lost everything they spent their lives building up – their possessions, their home, the roof over their heads,” he said.
“It may only be possible to clear up in weeks how much damage needs to be compensated.”
Mr Steinmeier said that people in the affected areas are counting on continuing support.
“Many people here in these regions have nothing left but their hope, and we must not disappoint this hope,” he added.
The devastation has unfolded across country borders over recent days, as communities reel in shock from a death toll that is feared may yet still rise.
There were harrowing rescue efforts in Cologne, when the ground gave way, while the German-Czech border saw flash flooding on Saturday and rivers sweep over the border into Austria.
A lot of people have lost everything they spent their lives building up. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German president.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that heavy rain and storms were causing serious damage in several parts of Austria, while in eastern Belgium there was disruption as train lines and roads remained blocked in many areas.
Southern parts of the Netherlands also have been hit by heavy flooding.
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz has said he will propose a package of immediate aid at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, telling the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that more than €300m, around £257m, will be needed.
Officials must start setting up a rebuilding programme which, from experience with previous flooding, will be in the billions of euros, he warned.