Death toll from floods in Belgium rises to 12

By Selen Temizer

BRUSSELS (AA) – The death toll from floods in Belgium rose to 12 on Friday as search and rescue efforts for five missing people continues.

Heavy rains especially hit eastern Belgium, in regions such as Liege, Verviers, Spa, Namur, and Limburg.

Dozens of homes collapsed and thousands of homes and businesses have been flooded due to heavy rains in the country.

In some neighborhoods of Liege, one of the cities worst hit by the floods, people were told by authorities to leave their homes.

Concerned that the Meuse River flowing through the city might overflow, residents of some districts, especially the city center, were asked to go to higher ground or the upper floors of the buildings.

Many roads in the eastern part of the country were closed, and road and railway transportation was disrupted.

*Writing by Busra Nur Cakmak