Bavaria in southern Germany has been hit by severe floods due to torrential rains, leading to tragic incidents and widespread disruption. A 42-year-old volunteer firefighter lost his life when a rescue boat capsized near Pfaffenhofen, and another 22-year-old firefighter is missing after a similar incident in Offingen. The region has declared a state of emergency in several districts due to the dangerous rise in water levels.
The firefighter who died was part of a team attempting to rescue individuals trapped by the floodwaters. While three of the rescuers managed to escape the sinking boat, the fourth was found dead by another team early Sunday morning. Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his sorrow over the loss and extended his gratitude to all rescuers combating the consequences of the floods.
As Bavaria continues to face the destructive impact of the floods, another rescue mission is underway to locate the missing 22-year-old firefighter who also fell into the water when his boat overturned. Emergency services, including the Bundeswehr and local fire brigades, are using boats and helicopters in the search.
Heavy downpours have caused more than 3,000 residents in Bavaria to evacuate their homes, with Germany's national rail operator Deutsche Bahn reporting disruptions. A landslide even derailed two cars of a high-speed train on the Stuttgart-Augsburg line on Saturday evening, fortunately without injuries.
The German Weather Service has issued warnings for further heavy rainfall in Bavaria. The flood situation has forced the closure of numerous streets and cycle paths, and many households in the Dachau district are without electricity. The situation is likely to persist for several days, with water levels expected to peak on Wednesday.
Authorities have also extended the closure of the Danube ferry indefinitely due to the continuing risk posed by rising waters. With nearly 800 Bundeswehr soldiers aiding in flood response operations, the focus remains on minimizing damage and ensuring the safety of residents in the affected regions.
- The Bavarian districts of Pfaffenhofen and Dachau have been particularly hard-hit, with emergency services working round the clock to manage the flood crisis. The regional Interior Ministry has revealed that the flooding has submerged several streets and necessitated power shutdowns to prevent further dangers.
- In the district of Straubing-Bogen, water levels on the Danube have now exceeded critical reporting levels, with predictions of the highest levels expected by mid-week. This has prompted preemptive closures of infrastructure and heightened alertness across the region.
- The severe weather conditions have also caused oil tanks to leak in some areas, adding to the complexity of the flood response.
