One hundred and eighty people were killed in the floods that hit western Germany on July 14 and 15, and some 150 are still missing or unreachable, according to a new report released on Friday July 23 by the authorities. .
The previous report, Thursday, reported 177 dead.
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The German meteorological services have called for vigilance due to new rains announced for this weekend in the west of the country.
149 people still wanted
The region of Rhineland-Palatinate, the most affected by the violent bad weather which devastated several municipalities, counts 132 dead and 766 injured, according to the Koblenz police. In this region, 149 people are still wanted, according to the same source. "
However, we do not assume that the final number of deaths will increase as much
", said at a press conference the Minister of the Interior of the Land Roger Lewentz, estimating that are on the list of wanted people. locals on vacation.
The police carry out their searches using helicopters and around 30 sniffer dogs, especially in places where masses of wood have accumulated in the rains.
“
I have no way of knowing if we'll be able to find all the dead.
We will not stop
”, assured Roger Lewentz.
216 victims in Europe
In the neighboring region of North Rhine-Westphalia, 47 people died in the floods.
Cologne police say they are looking for two missing or unreachable.
A person also died in Bavaria, in the south of the country, affected by the floods.
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With Belgium counting 36 deaths, the total number of victims of this exceptional weather episode in Europe rose to 216. Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Austria a few days later were also affected by flooding even if none victim has not been recorded in these countries.