Germany: at least four dead and dozens missing in bad weather in the west

An aerial view taken on July 14, 2021 shows the flooded center of the city of Hagen in western Germany after heavy rains hit parts of the country causing widespread flooding.

AFP - INA FASSBENDER

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2 min

Four people were killed and more than 50 are missing in heavy rains and floods in western Germany where six houses were washed away in a river, police said Thursday.

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The torrential rains that have fallen since Wednesday July 14 have swollen rivers, uprooted trees and caused flooding in western

Germany

.

These bad weather have already

killed

four people in the district of Ahrweiler, who died due to the weather or as a result of these disasters,

 " said a spokesperson for the Koblenz police. 

But this toll could grow heavier.

In the municipality of Schuld, south of Bonn, where six houses have collapsed and others are threatening, authorities estimate that there are between 50 and 60 people missing.

State of natural disaster in the south 

Rescue operations are still in progress but are disrupted by blocked access.

The authorities therefore call on the Germans affected by the bad weather to stay at home if possible and to " 

move to the upper floors if necessary

 ".

Severe bad weather has already affected part of the country in recent days.

A firefighter was killed in the north and a state of natural disaster was declared in the south of the country.

The regions of Saarland and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northeastern Germany have been placed on thunderstorm alert.

(with

AFP

)

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  • Natural disasters

  • Germany