Belgium: national day of mourning for flood victims
King Philippe of Belgium speaks with residents affected by the floods during a national tribute ceremony, in Verviers, July 20, 2021. AFP - JOHN THYS
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This Tuesday, July 20 marks a day of national mourning in the kingdom in tribute to the victims of severe weather and flooding at the end of the week which left 31 dead and many missing.
Since the beginning of the morning, the flags have been at half mast in the country and the Belgians have also observed a minute of silence at noon.
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With our correspondent in Brussels,
Pierre Bénazet
Just before the minute of silence, sirens from the police, firefighters and official buildings sounded at noon across Belgium.
The King and Federal Prime Minister Alexander De Croo traveled to Verviers, in the east of the country, where the floods were the most destructive.
In this valley of the Vesdre, a tributary of the Meuse, 23 of the 31 victims were killed.
“
The human toll is very painful,
” said King Philippe of Belgium.
Many have lost everything.
Often the work of a lifetime, swept away in a matter of hours.
But in the face of adversity, our people show immense solidarity.
Spontaneous aid to disaster victims abounds throughout the country, and innumerable volunteers give themselves without counting.
I want to express our gratitude to them, as well as to our European partners who came in support.
"
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To read also: Floods in Europe: insurers expect material damage of an unprecedented scale
New subsidence to fear
The rescue services continue their search: 70 people are still missing.
The police hope, however, that these reports of disappearances include people who are simply unreachable because of the power and telephone cuts.
The clean-up and debris clearance operations are in full swing.
But firefighters warn citizens not to enter their damaged homes with the greatest caution, because there are fears of new subsidence or accidents linked to destroyed gas and electricity networks.
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To read also: Floods in Europe: the toll exceeds 100 dead and hundreds of missing
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Belgium
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Floods in Europe: insurers expect material damage on an unprecedented scale
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