At least 33 killed as heavy rains batter western Germany

At least 33 people have died and dozens are missing, according to regional officials, after heavy rains triggered flash floods in parts of Germany, damaging homes and disrupting transport. The deaths reported on Thursday were in the states of North RhineWestphalia and RhinelandPalatinate where around the winegrowing hub of Ahrweiler 18 people died due to the extreme weather conditions. In the small town of Schuld in RhinelandPalatinate, four houses were swept away by rising floodwaters, while two others were partly washed away. Some 50 to 70 people are missing, the authorities said. There are people dead, there are people missing, there are many who are still in danger, the governor of RhinelandPalatinate state, Malu Dreyer, told the regional parliament. We have never seen such a disaster. Its really devastating. Al Jazeera s Jillian Wolf reports. Follow us on Twitter: Find us on Facebook: Check our website: