"Care Home Darkened by Flooding, Water Ingress... 12 Disabled Residents Found Dead in Sleeping German Care Home"

Nursing home in Jinchihi where 12 people died due to flooding [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] While some parts of Western Europe experienced unprecedented heavy rain and flood damage, 12 disabled individuals with mobility difficulties in Germany were swept away by the rapid currents.

According to the New York Times and others on the 17th (local time), on the 14th, 12 disabled people staying at a nursing home in Rhineland-Palatinate, the area most affected by the heavy rain in Germany, were swept away by a rapid current that surged up to 7 meters high while they were sleeping.

At the time, authorities had issued warnings to the village, but it is understood that they died sleeping on the first floor, unaware that a flood had occurred. There were 36 disabled residents in the nursing home.

Rescue workers saved 24 people on the second floor three hours after the accident. Neighbors reported hearing screams coming from the nursing home.

Luis Lupino (50), a nearby resident, said, "The German healthcare system is better than the U.S., but (the authorities) still try not to spend money," adding, "There was only one staff member taking care of the people at the nursing home."

He also pointed out, "(Because of the flooding) the power went out, and they were terrified. Then the water came in," criticizing that "the crisis management system did not work well."

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