Death toll from disastrous flooding in western Europe surpasses 150

Rescue workers laboured to clear up damage laid bare by receding water Saturday as the death toll from disastrous flooding in western Europe rose above 150 and thoughts turned to the lengthy job of rebuilding communities devastated in minutes.

Police said that more than 90 people are now known to have died in western Germany’s Ahrweiler county, one of the worst-hit areas, and more casualties are feared.

Another 43 people were confirmed dead in neighbouring North Rhine-Westphalia state. Belgium’s national crisis centre put the country’s confirmed death toll at 24 and said it expects the number to rise.

Days of heavy rain