Taiwan’s Presidential Office and foreign ministry have expressed their grave concern after severe flooding caused deaths and injuries in western Germany. As of Friday afternoon, officials in the worst-hit states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia say at least 81 people have died, with many more missing.
Presidential Office Spokesperson Xavier Chang said on Friday that President Tsai Ing-wen speaks for Taiwan’s government and people in expressing her deep regret at the news of fatalities. Chang says Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and Taiwan’s Representative to Germany Shieh Jhy-Wey have also expressed their concern to local authorities.
Heavy rains beginning on Wednesday night have flooded cities and towns across western Germany, and left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity. More rain is forecast in the coming days.
Chang says President Tsai has asked the foreign ministry to monitor developments and recovery efforts, and to offer help and assistance wherever possible. Authorities say so far, no Taiwanese citizens have been injured or affected by the flooding.