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In pictures: Floods kill dozens in Germany and Belgium

News imageReuters A general view of flood-affected area following heavy rainfalls in SchuldReuters
Flood damage in Schuld, Germany

Devastating floods have hit parts of western Europe after record rainfall caused swollen rivers to burst their banks.

At least 100 people have died in Germany and 22 deaths have been reported in Belgium.

Forecasts suggest more heavy rain is due in much of the region on Friday.

News imageGetty Images Flooding in Cologne, Germany in July 2021Getty Images
The Rhine river flooded the German city of Cologne on Thursday
News imageGetty Images Flooding in the Belgian city of Verviers, July 2021Getty Images
Cars were overturned in the streets of the Belgian city of Verviers

Some of the most dramatic images came from the German village of Schuld, in the Ahrweiler district of Rhineland-Palatinate, where a state of emergency has been declared.

Some 200,000 homes were also left without power.

Thousands of relief workers and soldiers are helping police with search and rescue efforts.

News imageReuters A destroyed road next to the Ahr river is seen on a flood-affected area following heavy rainfalls in SchuldReuters
Roads have been destroyed by the floods in Schuld
News imageAFP A van crushed by the torrents is pressed against a tree in GermanyAFP
Vehicles have been crushed and swept away by the flood water in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler

Heavy rains were also seen in Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where dozens of people were evacuated from their homes.

News imageAFP A woman tries to move in a flooded street in Liège, BelgiumAFP
The Belgian city of Liège has also been hit by heavy flooding with the mayor telling people to leave if they can
News imageEPA The fire brigade evacuate people from their homes in South Limburg, the Netherlands, 15 JulyEPA
The fire brigade helped to evacuate people in South Limburg, the Netherlands
News imageReuters A mobile flood barrier is seen along the Reuss River in front of the Kapellbruecke bridge in LucernReuters
A mobile flood barrier has been installed in Lucern, Switzerland

All photos are subject to copyright.

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