Videos of firefighters wading through floodwaters in Germany are surfacing on the Internet. The European country has been hit by floods and at least 42 people have lost their lives. Over 50 people have been missing after heavy rains and floods lashed western Germany, police said on Thursday.
In one video, fire brigade can be seen submerged in water, making its way to rescue stranded people. In another video, firefighters can be seen atop fire brigade rescuing people.
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Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) states is the worst hit, which has caused rivers to burst their banks and threatens to bring down further homes.
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“The storms hit our state hard. I am worrying along with everyone who’s in danger,” Rhineland-Palatinate Premier Malu Dreyer tweeted.
She thanked “all the volunteers, fire fighters and emergency workers fighting tirelessly and with great effort against the deluge.”
Emergency workers struggled to evacuate people in endangered buildings and two firemen were killed in the line of duty in the towns of Altena and Wedohl. Two other men died in flooded cellars in nearby Solingen and Unna one more death was reported in Rheinbach.
A crisis hotline number was set up for people to report missing loved ones and residents were asked to send in videos and photos that could help them in the search. Rescue workers were deployed in helicopters to pluck desperate people off streets and rooftops.
Regional official Juergen Pfoehler called on people to stay home “and, if possible, go to higher floors” of their homes.
“The situation is very serious,” he said, AFP reported.
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Meanwhile, NRW leader Armin Laschet, who is running to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel in September elections, cancelled a party meeting in Bavaria to keep tabs on the situation in Germany.
Neighbouring Belgium has also seen several days of heavy rain that has caused rivers in the French-speaking region of Wallonia to burst their banks. The provinces of Liege and Namur were especially affected, with the resort town of Spa completely flooded.