Turkey extends condolences to Germany as flood kills 42

By Dilan Pamuk

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey extended condolences to Germany on Thursday for the more than 40 people who have been killed in flooding in the west.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it learned with sadness of the lives lost along with at least 70 others who are missing.

"We extend our sincere condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives as well as to the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Germany," it said.

The ministry wished a speedy recovery to those injured and said it hopes the missing would be rescued as soon as possible.

The worst flooding in more than 200 years in Germany hit the country on Thursday, killing dozens as dozens more remain missing.

The western states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia have been struck hardest by the unusually severe rainstorm and flash floods.

The extent of the damage and the overall situation in flood-stricken areas remained unclear as rescue workers had to cope with torrential rainstorms which brought 148 liters (39 gallons) of rain per square meter in 48 hours.

Authorities in Rhineland-Palatinate warned that they expected waters on the Rhine and Moselle rivers to swell with additional rainfall.

There have also been massive power outages as more than 200,000 households are without electricity.

Meanwhile, public transportation has been severely affected by the catastrophic situation as trains and buses have been canceled or disrupted.