The current situation in our live blog – SWR Aktuell

Reconstruction is underway in the areas in Rhineland-Palatinate that were destroyed by the flood disaster. Many of those affected have been living in emergency shelters for months. Here is the current situation.

Monday 4th July

Theft of casino tokens in flood area – charges filed
4:30 p.m

The Koblenz public prosecutor’s office has brought charges against five suspects who are said to have stolen chips from the Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler casino, which was affected by the flood disaster, a year ago. Two men aged 34 are said to have broken into the damaged casino after the flood in the Ahr Valley in July last year and stole chips worth 125,500 euros from a container, the judicial authority announced on Monday. They are accused of joint theft in a particularly serious case. The other three suspects are charged with receiving stolen goods. A 33-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man are said to have each received a chip worth 5,000 euros from the loot. A 34-year-old is said to have tried, with the approval of the two main suspects, to exchange chips worth more than 15,000 euros for cash in a casino on the Nürburgring.

State government provides information and debates on post-flood reconstruction
4:30 a.m

Shortly before the first anniversary of the flood disaster that killed 135 people in northern Rhineland-Palatinate, the state government provided information and debated the reconstruction. Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) invites you to the Nürburgring this Monday evening (5:30 p.m.). The first anniversary of the flash flood with 134 fatalities in the nearby Ahr valley alone will be a day of remembrance, the State Chancellery in Mainz announced. “But it should also offer the opportunity to talk about the developments to date and current challenges relating to reconstruction.” Thousands of houses are still devastated, especially in the Ahr valley.

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