Heavy Rain and Floods in Western Europe Cause Over 160 Deaths...

A campsite in the Netherlands flooded by swollen river waters.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The death toll from heavy rain and flooding recently occurring in Western Europe, including Germany, has exceeded 160.

According to major foreign media on the 17th (local time), heavy rain and flooding occurred in western Germany and the border areas of Belgium and the Netherlands on the 14th and 15th. So far, 141 people have died in Germany alone, and 27 people have died in Belgium. Local authorities expect the number of casualties to increase further.

It has been reported that hundreds of people are missing or unreachable. In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Minister of the Interior mentioned that about 60 people are believed to be missing. There are also at least 670 injured.

However, many of the missing cases are believed to be due to duplicate reports, confusion, or communication network issues. In some areas, electricity, telephone, and communication networks cut off by the flood have not yet been restored. Some places are inaccessible due to high water levels.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, visited the affected areas to express condolences to the victims and their families. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, is also scheduled to visit the village of Schuld in Rhineland-Palatinate, one of the flood-affected areas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.