More than 150 die in Western Germany due to flood; Rescue efforts ramp up

Photo: Deutsche Welle

The death tolls in Western Germany have risen up to more than 150 following devastating flooding.

At least 110 people from the state of Rhineland-Palatine were killed by the flooding and the death toll in  North Rhine-Westphalia has reached 43.

More than 850 soldiers have been deployed by the German military to assist the disaster management agencies in the country to ramp up the rescue efforts.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited a North Rhine-Westphalia town of Erftstadt, which has been devastated by the flooding.

During the visit, Steinmeier said, "We are mourning with those who have lost their friends, acquaintances, their family members — your fate has broken our hearts."

North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Armin Laschet, who also visited the region with Mr. President,  promised swift aid to the victims of what he called the "disaster of the century." 

Laschet, who hopes to succeed Angela Merkel as the German Chancellor, met with criticisms online after a video showed him laughing in the background as Steinmeier addressed the victim. The right-wing candidate for the chancellor apologized following the criticisms online.

Publish : 2021-07-18 13:29:00

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