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.
This is as the death toll reaching more than 130 after police announced 90 fatalities in the Ahrweiler district on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Some 670 people have been reported injured, 850 Bundeswehr soldiers have been deployed to assist with disaster relief as 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, the flooding has also impacted Eastern Germany and Austria. Many are still said to be missing more than two days after massive flooding hit the region and search and rescue efforts are ongoing.
In Germany, the Police said on Saturday they feared more deaths would be confirmed in the Ahrweiler district, the focus of the crisis in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
In the Ahr valley area, where bridges are damaged and roads blocked, the Police asked the public to avoid the area where possible to keep routes clear for rescue vehicles.
Over 19,000 emergency forces are working in rescue operations in the state of North Rhine Westphalia, according to the regional government.
Some 700 residents of Ophoven were evacuated from their homes on Friday evening after a dam broke in the Heinsberg district in the western state.
The situation remained tense early on Saturday morning, according to a statement issued by the town that is close to the Dutch border.
It was unclear how much damage had been caused by the dam breaking on the Rur River, which flows from Germany through the Netherlands and Belgium.
