Germany’s storm death toll rose to 133



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Authorities continue rescue operations
Authorities continue rescue operations

At least 133 people have died so far in western Germany and there are several dozen missing, due to the storm that caused flooding and landslides, police said on Saturday.

Across Europe, the toll of devastating rains already kills 153.

“According to current information, 90 people lost their lives in the disaster” in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, one of the most affected, police said on Saturday.

At this balance in addition to the 43 deaths recorded in North Rhine-Westphalia, another of the German states hit by the storm.

In Belgium, also affected by the storm, there have been 20 deaths so far.

Across Europe, the death toll from devastating rains is 153
Across Europe, the death toll from devastating rains is 153

The intense rains surprised the inhabitants and some were trapped by the floods and the overflows of rivers, who sowed desolation and fear in their wake. In addition to Germany and Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland also suffered significant material losses.

The military has assigned 900 troops to assist with the rescue and search of missing persons in the federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.

In total, according to the Ministry of the Interior, there are 15,000 people working in the rescue efforts.

Authorities have warned citizens that must be removed from the vicinity of rivers and not enter flooded basements because there is a risk of electric shock.

The army has assigned 900 soldiers to help with the rescue work (PHOTO: EFE)
The army has assigned 900 soldiers to help with the rescue work (PHOTO: EFE)

Economic damage from the storm has yet to be estimated but considering the fact that it affected roads, railways and bridges as well as homes and private businesses, quite a large amount is expected.

The Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate has allocated a first emergency tranche of 50 million euros to mitigate the damage.

German police reported on Friday the increase in the death toll following the floods that hit the west of the country.

The affected states are North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, where at least 30 and 50 people have died respectively. “The fear is that there will be more,” a police spokesperson said according to ‘Bild’.

(With information from AFP)

KEEP READING:

The shocking aerial images of the devastation caused by the floods in Germany and Belgium



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