The death toll in Rhineland-Palatinate has continued to rise. And it is to be feared that this number will increase.
Mainz – 128 people have been recovered dead in the flood disaster area in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate. This was announced by Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) in a special meeting of three specialist committees of the state parliament.
“We have to start from the terrible assumption that this number will increase.” The people in the disaster area were injured in body and soul.
155 people are still missing. “One week after such an event, the chances that the missing will still be alive decrease,” said State Interior Minister Roger Lewentz (SPD) in Mainz. “I can’t tell you today that we can solve the fate of all 155 missing persons,” said Lewentz. Of the 128 dead in Rhineland-Palatinate, 62 have so far been identified.
“We are not planning a mass funeral. We want people to be able to be buried with dignity by their loved ones, ”said Lewentz. In addition to the dead and missing, there were 766 injured in Rhineland-Palatinate who were treated in the hospitals.
Dreyer praised the efforts of the rescue workers to cope with this catastrophic situation. At the Nürburgring “a gigantic helper town” was created. Despite all the suffering, the disaster shows: “Rhineland-Palatinate stands together.” The head of government said: “The reconstruction will be tedious and cost a lot of money. For that we need a national effort. “
“Previous reports of an alleged large number of looting have not yet been confirmed,” reported Roger Lewentz (SPD). The police have so far found 31 crimes. Of these, 25 are owned, said Lewentz. There have been four preliminary arrests. dpa
