German prosecutors said Friday they have launched an investigation against the district chief of the flood-hit region of Ahrweiler for negligence as warnings were made belatedly, resulting in the deaths of dozens of residents.

Some 189 people lost their lives in severe floods that pummelled western Germany in mid-July, raising questions about whether enough was done to warn locals.

Following an initial examination of the case, prosecutors in Koblenz said they have "affirmed the initial suspicion of negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm... and have initiated investigations."

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Ahrweiler district chief Juergen Pfoehler is the focus of the probe because he had the "sole decision-making authority" and was meant to be in charge of the operation according to current regulations.

Another member of the crisis group, who had for at least part of the time taken over the command of the emergency response, was also under investigation, prosecutors said, without naming the suspect.

After reconstructing events, investigators found that forecasts about the impending floods should have led officials to sound the warning and evacuate residents living near the swollen Ahr river by 8:30 pm (1830 GMT) on July 14.

"This -- according to the initial suspicion -- was obviously either not carried out, or not carried out with the required clarity or only carried out belatedly, such that it could amount negligence," prosecutors said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-finds-number-of-people-exposed-to-floods-worldwide-has-surged-25-402999">Study finds number of people exposed to floods worldwide has surged 25%</a>

It took until just after 11:00 pm for evacuation orders and warnings via smartphone apps to reach residents, according to initial findings.

"The main culprit is nature," Koblenz chief public prosecutor Harald Kruse told a press conference.

"We mustn't forget that. But even in a case like this it is possible that criminally relevant human behaviour could have contributed to the deaths and injuries of these people."

Kruse singled out the 12 lives lost at a care facility for the disabled when residents on the ground floor drowned in the flood water.

"At least for these people, we believe an earlier and clearer warning of the danger or an earlier and clearer evacuation order could have saved their lives."

Delegated

Kruse said investigators had searched the district administration office and seized mobile phones as part of their efforts to piece together which warnings were received when and what action was taken.

Kruse said Pfoehler had told prosecutors he had delegated the handling of the crisis to an experienced deputy that night -- the unnamed other person targeted in the probe.

Pfoehler himself, who belongs to Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party, was being kept up to date by phone as the flood disaster unfolded.

The Ahrweiler district is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate where at least 142 people died in the floods.

Sixteen people are still missing after torrents of water ripped through towns and villages, destroying bridges, roads, railways and housing in the region's worst flooding disaster in living memory.

Another 47 people died in the neighbouring state of North-Rhine Westphalia.

German government officials have vowed to learn lessons from the tragedy and improve the country's disaster warning systems, including through SMS alerts and wider use of sirens.

German prosecutors said Friday they have launched an investigation against the district chief of the flood-hit region of Ahrweiler for negligence as warnings were made belatedly, resulting in the deaths of dozens of residents.

German prosecutors said Friday they have launched an investigation against the district chief of the flood-hit region of Ahrweiler for negligence as warnings were made belatedly, resulting in the deaths of dozens of residents. Some 189 people lost their lives in severe floods that pummelled western Germany in mid-July, raising questions about whether enough was done to warn locals. Following an initial examination of the case, prosecutors in Koblenz said they have "affirmed the initial suspicion of negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm... and have initiated investigations." Also read | Debris mounts up after Germany's historic floods Ahrweiler district chief Juergen Pfoehler is the focus of the probe because he had the "sole decision-making authority" and was meant to be in charge of the operation according to current regulations. Another member of the crisis group, who had for at least part of the time taken over the command of the emergency response, was also under investigation, prosecutors said, without naming the suspect. After reconstructing events, investigators found that forecasts about the impending floods should have led officials to sound the warning and evacuate residents living near the swollen Ahr river by 8:30 pm (1830 GMT) on July 14. "This -- according to the initial suspicion -- was obviously either not carried out, or not carried out with the required clarity or only carried out belatedly, such that it could amount negligence," prosecutors said. Also read | Study finds number of people exposed to floods worldwide has surged 25% It took until just after 11:00 pm for evacuation orders and warnings via smartphone apps to reach residents, according to initial findings. "The main culprit is nature," Koblenz chief public prosecutor Harald Kruse told a press conference. "We mustn't forget that. But even in a case like this it is possible that criminally relevant human behaviour could have contributed to the deaths and injuries of these people." Kruse singled out the 12 lives lost at a care facility for the disabled when residents on the ground floor drowned in the flood water. "At least for these people, we believe an earlier and clearer warning of the danger or an earlier and clearer evacuation order could have saved their lives." Delegated Kruse said investigators had searched the district administration office and seized mobile phones as part of their efforts to piece together which warnings were received when and what action was taken. Kruse said Pfoehler had told prosecutors he had delegated the handling of the crisis to an experienced deputy that night -- the unnamed other person targeted in the probe. Pfoehler himself, who belongs to Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party, was being kept up to date by phone as the flood disaster unfolded. The Ahrweiler district is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate where at least 142 people died in the floods. Sixteen people are still missing after torrents of water ripped through towns and villages, destroying bridges, roads, railways and housing in the region's worst flooding disaster in living memory. Another 47 people died in the neighbouring state of North-Rhine Westphalia. German government officials have vowed to learn lessons from the tragedy and improve the country's disaster warning systems, including through SMS alerts and wider use of sirens.

German prosecutors launch probe over deadly floods

Southern Germany was hit by flash floods on Sunday. This resulted in at least one casualty. There have been more than 180 deaths in Europe so far.

The Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, which borders Austria, became the latest region to be hit by record rainfall and ensuing floods. Sunday's death brought Germany's death toll to 156 in its worst natural disaster in almost six decades, and the European toll to 183.

Ahrweiler district has been the worst-hit due to the floods. About 110 people have been killed. Police say that more bodies are expected to be found there as the floodwaters recede.

The European floods, which began on Wednesday, have mainly hit the German states of Rhineland Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia as well as parts of Belgium. Entire communities have been cut off, without power or communications.

At least 45 people have died in North Rhine-Westphalia. Death toll in Belgium is at 27.

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag that the German government will be readying more than 300 million Euros (USD 354 million) in immediate relief and billions of Euros to fix collapsed houses, streets and bridges&nbsp;

"There is huge damage and that much is clear: those who lost their businesses, their houses, cannot stem the losses alone," he said.

There could also be a 10,000 euro short-term relief payment for small businesses affected by the impact of the floods as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told the paper.

Scientists have long said that climate change will lead to heavier downpours. But determining its role in these relentless rainfalls will take several weeks to research at least, scientists said on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Southern Germany was hit by flash floods on Sunday. This resulted in at least one casualty. There have been more than 180 deaths in Europe so far. The Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, which borders Austria, became the latest region to be hit by record rainfall and ensuing floods.

Southern Germany was hit by flash floods on Sunday. This resulted in at least one casualty. There have been more than 180 deaths in Europe so far. The Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, which borders Austria, became the latest region to be hit by record rainfall and ensuing floods. Sunday's death brought Germany's death toll to 156 in its worst natural disaster in almost six decades, and the European toll to 183. Ahrweiler district has been the worst-hit due to the floods. About 110 people have been killed. Police say that more bodies are expected to be found there as the floodwaters recede. The European floods, which began on Wednesday, have mainly hit the German states of Rhineland Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia as well as parts of Belgium. Entire communities have been cut off, without power or communications. At least 45 people have died in North Rhine-Westphalia. Death toll in Belgium is at 27. Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag that the German government will be readying more than 300 million Euros (USD 354 million) in immediate relief and billions of Euros to fix collapsed houses, streets and bridges "There is huge damage and that much is clear: those who lost their businesses, their houses, cannot stem the losses alone," he said. There could also be a 10,000 euro short-term relief payment for small businesses affected by the impact of the floods as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told the paper. Scientists have long said that climate change will lead to heavier downpours. But determining its role in these relentless rainfalls will take several weeks to research at least, scientists said on Friday. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany: Floods hit Bavaria, European death toll at 183

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German prosecutors launch probe over deadly floods

Germany: Floods hit Bavaria, European death toll at 183