Flood Death Toll Rises to 156 in Germany

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Germany has risen to 156, according to police reports on Sunday morning, bringing the total in Western Europe to at least 183 fatalities. In the state of Rhineland-Palatinate alone, police announced that 110 people had died, up from a previous count of 98. The police statement indicated, "further victims are feared to be counted," noting that at least 670 people had been injured in the state. Additionally, one person died due to the floods in Bavaria in southern Germany, near the Austrian border, where heavy rainfall also fell on Saturday. In Austria, firefighting teams were mobilized in the Salzburg and Tyrol regions, while the old town of Hall was flooded. Austrian Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz tweeted, "Heavy rains and storms are unfortunately causing severe damage in several areas of Austria." Finally, to the east along the border between Germany and the Czech Republic, water levels in the Saxony region rose on Saturday evening, causing damage.