Heavy rains have led to flooding in several places in Germany in recent days, but parts of Belgium, France and the Netherlands have also been affected.
In Germany, the state of Saarland was the most affected. Dams burst and several rivers overflowed their banks, causing severe damage to buildings and infrastructure. According to German authorities, the floods in the region are the worst in nearly 30 years.
Prime Minister Olaf Scholz on Saturday visited the town of Kleinbeltersdorf to inspect the damage and speak with rescue teams and local residents.
Schultz, who was wearing high rubber boots, stressed that the authorities' first priority was to provide urgent assistance to those affected by the floods.
-We have a strong tradition of solidarity. Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have had to deal with a natural disaster, so we will of course look at what to do now and what is needed, he said.
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Schulz also praised rescuers for their efforts, including evacuating people. No one has been reported dead in the flood so far.
In the summer of 2021, Germany was hit by one of the worst natural disasters in recent times when more than 180 people died as a result of floods in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
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