As a result of the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, Interior Minister Roger Lewentz (SPD) has already resigned. The CDU is also demanding political consequences for Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD). She texted the ex-Home Secretary during the death tide. Twelve of those messages have now been released.
More than a year after the terrible flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, the investigations are still not complete. At that time, more than 180 people died and hundreds lost their belongings. For the CDU it was a “complete failure by Dreyer and her government”. She is therefore demanding political consequences for the Prime Minister. To this day, she says she has “not lived up to her political responsibility,” said Christian Baldauf, leader of the Rhineland-Palatinate parliamentary group, to “Bild”. “There was never a word of sincere regret. Ms. Dreyer should finally apologize.”
Now the politician is under additional pressure. Several text messages between her and Roger Lewentz indicate that the local situation may not have been taken seriously enough. On July 14, 2021 at 9:42 p.m., Dreyer wrote to the ex-Minister of the Interior: “I hear that the high water level will not be reached until noon tomorrow? It’s really bad.” At the same time, the police helicopter “Sperber 2” takes off for a reconnaissance flight.
In the committee of inquiry, the pilot spoke of the “worst situation” he had ever experienced. What he finds: houses that are under water up to the roof and trapped people who desperately give light signals. Although there is no video transmission, there is radio contact and a police officer can take cell phone photos.
Dreyer is concerned whether Anne Spiegel (41, Greens), who has since resigned the Environment Minister and ex-Federal Minister for Family Affairs, is informed. Lewentz replies: “It has its own location system.” To which Dreyer: “Ok. Have a nice evening.” Meanwhile, the situation at the Koblenz police headquarters was already considered a disaster. According to “Bild”, police commissioner Marita Simon even yelled at a colleague in the Interior Ministry shortly after 10 p.m. when he insisted on written reports.
At 11.40 p.m. the helicopter photos reach the ministry. To see: The towns of Schuld and Altenahr in a sea of water. At 0.58 a.m. Lewentz writes: “Dear Malu, the situation is escalating. There may have been deaths.” Next text message at 5:33 a.m.: “Dear Roger, I can be reached again.” There are already 134 people dead.” At 9:53 a.m.: “Olaf got in touch. He asks what makes sense. Can he and should he go somewhere?” By “Olaf” she means today’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In the Ahr Valley people are still angry and frustrated today. The mayor of Dernau, Alfred Sebastian, to “Bild”: “We were promised unbureaucratic help. But nothing is moving forward.”
Haitian singer Mikaben died in the middle of a concert in Paris. The 41-year-old collapsed on the stage of the Accor Arena in east Paris on Saturday night and died despite the efforts of the emergency services, the concert organizer said on Twitter.
A man died in severe flooding on the popular Greek holiday island of Crete.
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