19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Two brothers weep in each other's arms in front of their parents' house, which was destroyed by the flood. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or badly damaged, and there are many fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: A picture of St Mary hangs in the attic of a house in Altenahr that was completely destroyed by the flood. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or badly damaged, and there were many fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Paramedics from the Bundeswehr arrive in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Caravans, gas tanks, trees and scrap metal pile up metres high on a bridge over the Ahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, and there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: "Please pump" was written on the wall of his home by a homeowner with mud. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Residents on the completely devastated streets in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Two emergency paramedics rest on a bridge in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Completely destroyed is this house in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or heavily damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Residents on the completely devastated streets in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Metre-high piles of washed-up rubbish between two buildings in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, and there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

dpatop - 19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Two brothers weep in each other's arms in front of their parents' house, which was destroyed by the flood. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or badly damaged, and there are many fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

dpatop - 19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: A picture of St Mary hangs in the attic of a house in Altenahr that was completely destroyed by the flood. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or badly damaged, and there were many fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Residents on the completely devastated streets in Altenahr. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged, there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

19 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Caravans, gas tanks, trees and scrap metal pile up metres high on a bridge over the Ahr. Numerous houses in the town were completely destroyed or severely damaged, and there are numerous fatalities. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Police officers search in the rubble at an Ahr bridge for possible victims of the flood disaster. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Police officers search in the rubble at an Ahr bridge for possible victims of the flood disaster. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Police officers search in the rubble at an Ahr bridge for possible victims of the flood disaster. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Police officers search in the rubble at an Ahr bridge for possible victims of the flood disaster. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa

dpatop - 18 July 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate, Altenahr: Police officers search in the rubble at an Ahr bridge for possible victims of the flood disaster. Numerous houses in the village were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa