Heavy Rain in Western Europe Raises Death Toll to 118 in Germany and Belgium

On the 15th (local time), vehicles are entangled at a roundabout in the city center of Verbier, Belgium, flooded due to heavy rain in Western Europe.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Due to record-breaking heavy rain in Western Europe not seen in 100 years, 118 people have died in Germany and Belgium. The number of missing persons has reached around 1,300.

According to German police and state government figures on the 16th (local time), the death toll from the heavy rain in Germany has risen to at least 103. In Rhineland-Palatinate, 60 people died, and in North Rhine-Westphalia, 43 people died. At least 15 people have also died in Belgium.

Local authorities reported that the whereabouts of 1,300 people remain unknown in the village of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler in Rhineland-Palatinate. It is known that communication outages caused by the heavy rain damage are making it difficult to confirm their status.

A senior official in the area said on local broadcasts, "It appears that 40 to 60 people are still missing," and "the death toll will continue to rise over the next few days."

Meanwhile, the local Korean diplomatic mission is continuing to check for damage among Korean residents, and so far, no casualties have been reported.