Germany, Belgium See Unprecedented Floods: At Least 68 Dead As Storms Lash Europe

Heavy rains and floods lashing western Europe have killed at least 59 people in Germany and nine in Belgium, reported AFP. Many more people are missing as rising waters caused several houses to collapse on July 15. In Germany, which is experiencing one of the worst weather disasters since World War II, desperate residents sought refuge on the roofs of their homes as rescue helicopters circled above. Unusually heavy rains also inundated neighbouring Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium. On a visit to Washington, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her "heart goes out" to the victims of the flooding. North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) premier Armin Laschet, who is running to succeed Merkel in September elections, cancelled a party meeting in Bavaria to survey the damage in his state, Germany's most populous.

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. Residents in Liege were told on July 15 to urgently evacuate neighbourhoods near the banks of the Meuse river. Watch the video to know more.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2021 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).