Germany’s flood death toll rises to 103

SANAA, Jul. 17 (YPA) – A total of 103 people were killed and 1,300 others were reported missing as heavy rains and floods swept through western Germany.

“There are fears of a rise in the number of victims,” the German newspaper Bild reported, citing   the police spokesman in koblenz said today,

The spokesman added that 60 people were killed in Rhineland-Palatinate, 43 in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and 1,300 were still missing.

An earlier toll indicated that at least 81 people had been killed in floods in western Germany.

Gerd Landsberg, head of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, said the cost of the damage was likely to run into “billions of euros”.

Rescue workers are continuing searches for missing persons, while the German army has deployed 900 troops to disaster areas to provide support.

Continued rainfall in recent days has led to rising river levels and the Rhine is expected to reach the highest level of water, resulting in shipping restrictions.

E.M