Flooding in Germany: Death toll rises to 33 with dozens still missing | DW News

At least 33 people have died in parts of western Germany amid heavy rains and flooding, local police said on Thursday. Most of the deaths have been reported in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Koblenz police also said that at least 18 people in the Bad Neunahr-Ahrweiler area in Rhineland-Palatinate had died in the floods.

"Unfortunately, we have to confirm that the number of fatalities in connection with the flood disaster in the Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler area has now risen to a total of 18. Our deepest condolences go out to all concerned," the department tweeted.

More than 70 were missing in the same region, police said, after the Ahr river that flows into the Rhine burst its banks and brought down half a dozen houses.

Several also went missing after six houses collapsed in the same state, following hours of torrential rain. About 25 more buildings in the Schuld region were at the risk of caving in, local police said.

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[dwnews]

Unfortunately, the death toll continues to rise. The latest official figures are 42 dead.

[rickycoker]

Flash floods are even more dangerous in the middle of the night. I feel so bad for Germans effected.

[alvincubus]

From a country that perennially deal with such devastation 🇵🇭, we send our prayers and love to Germany. Stay strong.

[CanadianPrepper]

Very scary times, the age of extremes

[MargauxMachek]

This year has given us flooding all over the world. I hope everyone can cope with it in Germany! Take care from USA>

[qwr]

Many Japanese people are heartbroken by the severe disaster that occurred in Germany. I would like to express my condolences to those who lost their lives and their families due to the heavy rains and flooding. I would also like to express my sympathy to those who have been affected.

[Duck-Sweet-Sour]

I'm a close living firefighter from Germany. We started to send firefighters from over 200km radius around the flooded area to help. All alone from my living place we sent 132 firefighters with 27 firetrucks to the borders of the flood this morning local time to mainly evacuate people who aren't able to leave their home.

The focus at the moment is on rescuing people. The helping operations will probably go on for multiple days.

The water is slowly going back, so the flood isn't rising anymore at the moment. Far more than 1000 firefighters are in service on a distance of multiple hundred kilometers in two different states.

[edit] at the moment it isn't sure if the dam (Steinbachtalsperre) isn't breaking, it already is over floating. This information is from the german news "WDR Aktuell"

[carolinaqueseyo]

My condolences goes to the families and victims of this disaster.

[wrx_aw]

I've read some comments from all over the world and would like to thank everyone on behalf of everyone involved in those devastating times. I am from the region, grew up there and tried to help where i could. Thank you everyone!

[salmajama]

Deep condelnces to those families. Our heart with you.

[desiebawden]

So sorry to here this . Prayers and love from South Africa . You are flooding while we are burning .🌎🌸

[danilvanlaethem]

And in Belgium also 11 victims. Love Germany, stay strong

[ninamiranda]

Prayers for everyone affected by this unfortunate event.

[LiquidShivaz]

Eure Verlust tut mir Leid Deutschland 😢

[annebadao]

You can hear in the voice of the reporter that she was really overwhelmed and feels like she wanted to cry while elaborating what happened. 💔

[sriramkumar]

Deep condolences to the victims of Deutsche land, from India

[Ama-Elaini]

The imbalance in the weather of Europe or the world overall has been astounding this summer. While some places get all the water, those who suffer from drought and heat waves would love to have some of it. RIP.

[rebeccagutierrez]

This hurts me so much I am in tears. I went through hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and experienced how emotionally draining a situation like this can be. May God help them. Praying in Puerto Rico.

[gluteusmaximus]

It was raining 270 + liters per square meter ! In a very short time. This is scary.

[keikae]

I’m deeply sad to hear the increasing dead people from this tragedy 😢☹️. Condolence to the bereaved families from Philippines.