The incident was caused by a massive flood that destroyed 6 houses and damaged 25 others in the Eifel municipality overnight, according to the broadcaster SWR.

Six houses collapsed in the western German city of Schuld, Rheinland-Pfalz after heavy rains caused local rivers to break their banks, flooding the area. According to the Bild tabloid, the death toll from the incident stands at 33 fatalities, while several dozen are missing.

"There are many places where fire brigades and rescue workers have been deployed. We don't yet have a very precise picture because rescue measures are continuing", a police spokesperson said.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "shocked" by the disaster.

"I am shocked by the disaster, which made so many people in the flood zones suffer. I offer my condolences to the relatives of the dead and missing. From the bottom of my heart, I thank our tireless rescuers and emergency personnel", a statement from Merkel read.

The German authorities are urging people to stay at home during the emergency.