Sudden Flooding Causes 12 Disabled Residents to Drown at German Nursing Home... Screams Heard

On the 14th (local time), heavy rain in Rhineland-Palatinate, southwestern Germany, caused streets and houses in the Esch area to be flooded. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A tragedy occurred in which 12 disabled people at a nursing home in Germany were simultaneously killed due to record-breaking heavy rain in parts of Western Europe.

According to The New York Times on the 17th (local time), on the night of the 14th, a rapid current up to 7 meters high surged into the village of Sinzig in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The river overflowed due to concentrated heavy rain.

The greatest tragedy happened at the Lebenshilfe nursing home on Pestalozzi Street. Twelve disabled people who were sleeping on the first floor of the nursing home drowned overnight in the suddenly rising water.

At that time, it was reported that 36 disabled people and one staff member were staying at the nursing home.

Rescue workers saved 24 people on the second floor after three hours, and the survivors came out through the windows and boarded the rescuers' boats.

The nursing home was submerged up to about 3 meters. The first floor of the nursing home, painted white, clearly shows traces of being submerged in muddy water on the walls after the water receded.

Neighbors living near the nursing home reportedly heard screams coming from the facility, according to the media.

Luis Lupino (50), a resident of the area, said, "Our healthcare system is better than that of the United States, but it still tries to avoid costs," adding, "Only one staff member was taking care of the people at the nursing home. When the power went out due to flooding, they were terrified, and when the water came in, they had no chance."

He particularly pointed out that "the crisis management system did not work well," and if the authorities had issued warnings in advance, some of the damage could have been prevented.

Sinzig has a population of 20,000, and besides the victims at the nursing home, two more people died in this flood. Additionally, 2,000 people evacuated, and 350 lost their homes.

As of this day, 156 people have died in Germany due to the heavy rain. In Rhineland-Palatinate alone, 110 people died and 670 were injured.

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