Germany's Scholz visits flood region, assures federal 'solidarity'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) visits with Anke Rehlinger, Minister President of the Saarland, the Saarbruecken stadium with the emergency services who were deployed to help with the Saar floods. Helmut Fricke/dpa

After heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in the western German state of Saarland, Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the affected region on Saturday to take stock of the situation and assured of the federal government's "solidarity."

Scholz emphasized that the priority was now on acute aid. He stated that once the immediate danger had passed, the government would coordinate with local authorities to determine what aid is necessary. Scholz, who was wearing wellies, walked across a flooded street and spoke to those affected.

"We have a strong tradition of solidarity," said the chancellor. "Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have had to deal with a major natural disaster, so we will of course look at what needs to be done now and what is necessary."

"Everyone can rest assured that this will be done in the best possible way."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) and Anke Rehlinger (L), Minister President of the Saarland, visit the Saarbruecken stadium to see the emergency services deployed to help with the Saar floods. Helmut Fricke/dpa
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) visits with Anke Rehlinger, Saarland Minister-President, the Saarbruecken stadium with emergency personnel who were deployed as relief workers at the Saar floods. Helmut Fricke/dpa

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