Deaths are mounting as Germany clears away the destruction wrought by floods. “When you’ve lost almost everything … where do you start?” asks one woman, as drained and devastated survivors begin the long cleanup process.
- More than 140 people have been reported dead across western Germany, with more fatalities across Europe
- Some 670 people have been reported injured
- 850 Bundeswehr soldiers have been deployed to assist with disaster relief
- President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the flooded regions of North Rhine-Westphalia
- The worst-hit regions are in western Germany around the borders to the Benelux countries
Cracked dam worries officials
Even though much flooding has subsided, danger remains for many residents near Euskirchen, where the Steinbachtal dam is still at risk of bursting. The dam is “extremely unstable” after large parts broke away amid the high waters, Cologne authorities said on Saturday. They said there was an acute danger of flooding for areas situated below the dam, with more evacuations planned.
Laschet apologizes after social media anger
North Rhine-Westphalian State Premier Armin Laschet, who hopes to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor of Germany this fall, apologized after a video of him prompted outrage on social media.
News
German president to flood victims: ‘Your fate has broken our hearts’ — live updates
Deaths are mounting as Germany clears away the destruction wrought by floods. “When you’ve lost almost everything … where do you start?” asks one woman, as drained and devastated survivors begin the long cleanup process.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, speak to flood victims in Erftstadt town
- More than 140 people have been reported dead across western Germany, with more fatalities across Europe
- Some 670 people have been reported injured
- 850 Bundeswehr soldiers have been deployed to assist with disaster relief
- President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the flooded regions of North Rhine-Westphalia
- The worst-hit regions are in western Germany around the borders to the Benelux countries
This article was last updated at 19:38 UTC
Cracked dam worries officials
Even though much flooding has subsided, danger remains for many residents near Euskirchen, where the Steinbachtal dam is still at risk of bursting. The dam is “extremely unstable” after large parts broke away amid the high waters, Cologne authorities said on Saturday. They said there was an acute danger of flooding for areas situated below the dam, with more evacuations planned.
Laschet apologizes after social media anger
North Rhine-Westphalian State Premier Armin Laschet, who hopes to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor of Germany this fall, apologized after a video of him prompted outrage on social media.
In the video, Laschet is seen laughing in the background as Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier talks to reporters about helping victims of the flood. The clip prompted a hashtag #Laschetlacht (Laschet laughs), with many calling his behavior “disrespectful” and “undignified.”
Laschet reiterated that he was concerned about the fate of victims, and said he regretted “the impression that was created by a conversation.”
“This [impression] was inappropriate and I am sorry.”
Death toll keeps climbing
Late on Saturday, German officials raised the death toll to 141 and the number of injured to 670. Many people remain missing, fanning fears that more lives will have been lost. Police in the town of Koblenz said a helicopter mission was planned to look for survivors.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to visit the area in the country’s northwest on Sunday.
Firefighters killed during rescue operations
At least four firefighters in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia lost their lives during rescue operations since flooding began Wednesday, according to Bernd Schneider, chairman of the NRW Firefighters Association. Speaking on Saturday, he said, “The anguish in fire departments in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond, is enormous. We will all have a lot to process when our mission is over.”
More than 23,000 emergency forces are currently working in rescue operations in the state according to regional government sources.
News
German president to flood victims: ‘Your fate has broken our hearts’ — live updates
Deaths are mounting as Germany clears away the destruction wrought by floods. “When you’ve lost almost everything … where do you start?” asks one woman, as drained and devastated survivors begin the long cleanup process.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, speak to flood victims in Erftstadt town
- More than 140 people have been reported dead across western Germany, with more fatalities across Europe
- Some 670 people have been reported injured
- 850 Bundeswehr soldiers have been deployed to assist with disaster relief
- President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the flooded regions of North Rhine-Westphalia
- The worst-hit regions are in western Germany around the borders to the Benelux countries
This article was last updated at 19:38 UTC
Cracked dam worries officials
Even though much flooding has subsided, danger remains for many residents near Euskirchen, where the Steinbachtal dam is still at risk of bursting. The dam is “extremely unstable” after large parts broke away amid the high waters, Cologne authorities said on Saturday. They said there was an acute danger of flooding for areas situated below the dam, with more evacuations planned.
Laschet apologizes after social media anger
North Rhine-Westphalian State Premier Armin Laschet, who hopes to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor of Germany this fall, apologized after a video of him prompted outrage on social media.
In the video, Laschet is seen laughing in the background as Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier talks to reporters about helping victims of the flood. The clip prompted a hashtag #Laschetlacht (Laschet laughs), with many calling his behavior “disrespectful” and “undignified.”
Laschet reiterated that he was concerned about the fate of victims, and said he regretted “the impression that was created by a conversation.”
“This [impression] was inappropriate and I am sorry.”
Death toll keeps climbing
Late on Saturday, German officials raised the death toll to 141 and the number of injured to 670. Many people remain missing, fanning fears that more lives will have been lost. Police in the town of Koblenz said a helicopter mission was planned to look for survivors.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to visit the area in the country’s northwest on Sunday. Watch video 02:35
German floods leave behind trail of devastation
Netherlands PM Rutte: ‘no doubt’ climate change worsened floods
“Without a doubt,” said caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands when asked whether climate change had caused the storms behind the flooding. “I don’t want to make hasty declarations but let’s be clear, something is really happening,” said Rutte during a visit to the southern province of Limburg.
Firefighters killed during rescue operations
At least four firefighters in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia lost their lives during rescue operations since flooding began Wednesday, according to Bernd Schneider, chairman of the NRW Firefighters Association. Speaking on Saturday, he said, “The anguish in fire departments in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond, is enormous. We will all have a lot to process when our mission is over.”
More than 23,000 emergency forces are currently working in rescue operations in the state according to regional government sources.
Thousands of emergency forces have been risking their lives to save others, four firefighters have been killed
DW field correspondents: Major clean-up, massive outreach and tragic loss
Local citizens in Ahrweiler were using their own machines and vehicles to clear up debris on Saturday, DW’s Giulia Saudelli noted in a tweet. They say government assistance has yet to arrive.
DW’s Kate Brady reported that outreach organizers near Erftstadt had to close down a donations center because they could no longer manage the amount of goods they were receiving. A woman sheltering at the site since Thursday told our correspondent she doesn’t know what she needs, “When you’ve lost almost everything … where do you start?”
DW’s Kate Martyr reported Saturday on the tragic deaths of 12 individuals trapped in a home for disabled people as the floodwaters rose in Sinzig.
President Steinmeier mourns flood victims, lauds rescue crews
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, visiting the Rhine-Erft district in North Rhine-Westphalia, paid tribute to the people who died in the flooding.
“We are mourning with those who have lost their friends, acquaintances, their family members — your fate has broken our hearts,” he said on Saturday, appearing visibly shaken.
Giving thanks to the emergency crews, the German head of state said they had “worked to the point of exhaustion and beyond.”
Speaking alongside President Steinmeier, NRW State Premier Armin Laschet promised that aid to victims of what he called the “disaster of the century,” would be rapidly disbursed, calling it a “national task.”
“If your home has been destroyed, if there is nothing left, not even money,” Laschet said, “helping with that, immediately, is the most important thing.”
Earlier in the day, Norway’s King Harald expressed his sympathies over the flooding in a message addressed to Steinmeier, saying, “On behalf of myself and of the people of Norway, I am sending you my sincere condolences, and ask you to convey my condolences to those bereaved or otherwise affected by this terrible natural disaster.”
Source : DW
