The Public Prosecution Service in Germany is going to conduct a preliminary investigation into the severe flooding last month in the Ahr valley, in the west of the country. That should clarify whether there is “death and injury by negligence”.
The floods killed 138 people. Local authorities are said to have warned or evacuated the population poorly or too late. The German Public Prosecution Service does not want to say against whom the suspicions are directed.
In the night of 14 to 15 July, the river Ahr suddenly rose so fast that many residents were unable to move. For example, the water in a house for people with intellectual disabilities in Sinzig reached the first floor within a minute. Twelve residents drowned. The police reports of that incident are included in the investigation.
Automated Emails
Earlier in the day, authorities in the Ahrweiler district are said to have received several automated emails from the Ministry of Environment of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia warning of the high water.
Reporter Henrik-Willem Hofs was in the Ahr valley, just east of Bad Münstereifel, after the floods. He saw miles upon miles of destruction:
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