Belgium holds day of mourning for flood victims as death toll, including Germany, rises to 201

Belgium’s king and queen visited the flood-stricken town of Verviers to lead the nation in a minute of silence Tuesday to remember those who died, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a second tour of the disaster zone in her country and pledged rapid help to those who lost nearly everything.

Rebuilding what was damaged in last week’s rampaging torrents will take years and millions of euros.

“All means will be used,” promised King Philippe in his traditional address on the eve of Belgium’s July 21 independence day, which will be more subdued this year because of the disaster.

He and