Extreme flooding leaves more than 65 people dead in Germany and Belgium


Severe flooding in Germany and Belgium on Thursday has left more than 65 people dead, with dozens missing.
Most of the deaths have been reported in Germany, including nine that occurred at an assisted living facility for people with disabilities.
Heavy rains filled reservoirs and caused rivers to overflow, sending water surging down streets. The full extent of the damage in both countries is unknown, as rescuers are unable to get into some villages due to debris blocking the roads. "I grieve for those who have lost their lives in this disaster," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday during a visit to the White House. "We still don't know the number. But it will be many." To say there was "heavy rain and flooding" doesn't "capture what happened," she added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trees and other large pieces of debris came sweeping through villages like Schuld, Germany, where cars were seen floating down the street and several older houses collapsed. People climbed onto the roofs of their homes in order to be rescued by helicopters or inflatable boats. Karl-Heinz Grimm told The Associated Press he came to Schuld to help his parents amid the flooding, and it "was like madness."
In Pepinster, Belgium, a small boat used to rescue several elderly people capsized, and three passengers fell into the water. "Unfortunately, they were quickly engulfed," Mayor Philippe Godin said. "I fear they are dead."
No deaths have been reported in France, but heavy rains have flooded vegetable fields, houses, and the World War I museum in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. The country's weather service said the equivalent of two months of rain has fallen over the last two days.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Law: The battle over birthright citizenship
Feature Trump shifts his focus to nationwide injunctions after federal judges block his attempt to end birthright citizenship
-
The threat to the NIH
Feature The Trump administration plans drastic cuts to medical research. What are the ramifications?
-
Courts try to check administration on deportations
Feature The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to end protected status for Venezuelans, but blocks deportations under the Alien Enemies Act
-
Israel's Western allies pull back amid Gaza escalation
speed read Britain and the EU are reconsidering allegiance with Israel as the Gaza siege continues
-
Trump drops ceasefire demand after Putin call
speed read Following a phone call with Russia's president, Trump backed off an earlier demand that Putin agree to an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine
-
Pro-EU centrist beats Trump acolyte in Romania vote
speed read The mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, defeated hard-right nationalist George Simion in the race for Romania's presidency
-
Kurdish PKK militia to disband for Turkey talks
speed read The Kurdistan Workers' Party will disarm after four decades of armed conflict with Turkey, putting an end to 'one of the longest insurgencies in the Middle East'
-
US, China agree to lower tariffs for 90 days
speed read US tariffs will fall to 30% from 145%, while China will cut its tax on US imports to 10% from 125%
-
India strikes Pakistan as tensions mount in Kashmir
speed read Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it an 'act of war'
-
Israel approves plan to take over Gaza indefinitely
speed read Benjamin Netanyahu says the country is 'on the eve of a forceful entry'
-
Putin talks nukes as Kyiv slated for US air defenses
speed read 'I hope they will not be required,' Putin said of nuclear weapons on Russian state TV