On July 15, 2021, a resident of Ahrweiler-Bad Neuenahr, western Germany, cleans a street after floods. Getty Images | Christof Stache | AFP Authorities say floods in Germany killed at least 50 people and left more than 1,000 others missing after rivers burst their banks, swept away cars, and destroyed homes on Thursday. According to the government of Ahrweiler, which is located in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, up to 1,300 people are believed to be missing. According to The Associated Press, at least 30 people died in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and another 28 died in Rhineland-Palatinate to the south. Storms wreaked havoc in Belgium, resulting in eight deaths, according to the media. Flooding also hit Luxembourg and the Netherlands. People were stranded on rooftops in Germany due to torrential rain and storms, and authorities used inflatable boats and helicopters to identify and rescue residents. Soldiers from the German army were dispatched to assist in the operation. The situation is “characterized by fear, despair, and suffering,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was in Washington, D.C. on Thursday to meet with President Joe Biden. Hundreds of thousands of people were affected by the disaster, she said, and their homes were turned into death traps. “My heart and empathy go out to all of those who lost loved ones in this disaster or who are still worried about the fate of people who are still missing,” she said. Biden also expressed his condolences, as well as the condolences of the American people, to those in Germany and other countries who have been affected by flooding. Edgar Gillessen of Schuld, Ahrweiler, described the devastation as “simply catastrophic.” “I’m familiar with everyone who lives here. I feel terrible for them. They’ve completely lost everything. They only have what they had on them, and it’s all gone “Reuters quoted Gillessen, 65, as saying. “Nothing remained of a friend’s workshop over there. Everything has vanished, including the bakery and butcher. It’s terrifying. Unimaginable.” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, expressed her condolences to those impacted by the flooding in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, and stated that the European Union stands ready to assist. The Vesdre River in Belgium burst its banks, sending torrents of water churning through the streets of Pepinster, near Liege, and taking down some structures. According to the European Commission, France has sent a helicopter and a rescue team to Belgium to assist local authorities, and Italy and Austria have offered flood rescue teams./n
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