Disaster in Germany: Saarland declares state of emergency

Heavy rains in western Germany. Water flooded the streets of many cities, and firefighters had to intervene several thousand times. In Saarland, a state of emergency due to a natural disaster has been declared.

A dangerous situation in western Germany. As a result of the heavy rains, streets have been flooded, and landslides have occurred in some areas. In Saarland, nearly 336 litres of water per square meter fell in less than a day.

In this region alone, firefighters and police intervened more than 3,000 times. Some places had to be evacuated, such as guests from a hotel in Neunkirchen or a nursing home in Marpingen.

A state of emergency due to a natural disaster has been declared in Saarbruecken. For now, there is no information about casualties from the heavy rains.

Due to the floods, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended his meeting with Saarland residents related to the European Parliament campaign. Instead, he met with local authorities to assess the situation.

The Chancellor said in Kleinblittersdorf that the immediate focus should be emergency aid. After the direct crisis and threat have subsided, the matter of what to do to help those in need will be a joint decision. "We have a good practice of solidarity," said Scholz, quoted by the DPA agency.

"Unfortunately, this is not the first time we are dealing with a serious natural disaster, so of course, we will look into what needs to be done and what is necessary," Scholz emphasized. "Everyone can be assured that it will be done in the best possible way," he added.

Saarland Premier Anke Rehlinger spoke of the most difficult situation since the flood in Saarland over 30 years ago, known as the 'flood of the century.'

The rains and floods also affected other countries in the region, namely Belgium and the Netherlands. Due to rising river levels in northeastern France, a flood alert was issued.