Germany floods death toll rises to 58

An aerial photograph shows the district of Altenburg, Germany, July 15, 2021. /CFP

Flooding in the western German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia due to persistent rainfall has left at least 58 people dead and dozens missing, local media reported.

Rheinland-Palatinate Interior Minister Roger Lewentz told local media on Thursday evening that nine more people lost their lives as a result of the floods, raising the death toll in the state to 28.

With around 40 to 60 people still missing, there could be many more victims, according to Lewentz.

The state has also ordered mourning for the victims on Friday in which all public flags will fly at half-mast across the state.

While in another affected Germany state of North Rhine-Westphalia, local official had announced earlier that at least 30 people died as a result of the severe natural disaster.

Local media said a dam bridge in the area may collapse and officials have urged people to help each other.

In wake of the disaster, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on social media, through a government spokesperson, that she was "shocked by the catastrophe that so many people in the flood areas have to endure."

(With input from Xinhua)