Rescuers race to prevent more deaths from European floods

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was “stunned” by the devastation and pledged support to the families of those killed and to cities and towns facing significant damage.

In one flooded German town, the ground collapsed under family homes. In another, floodwaters swept through an assisted living centre, killing 12. Rescue workers across Germany and Belgium rushed on Friday to prevent more deaths from some of the Continent’s worst flooding in years as the number of dead surpassed 125 and the search went on for hundreds of missing people. Fuelled by days of heavy rain, the floodwaters also left thousands of Germans homeless after their dwellings were destroyed or deemed to be at risk, and elected officials began to worry about the lingering economic effects from lost homes and businesses.