Merkel keeps promise to return to town hit by 2021 floods

Former chancellor Angela Merkel returned on Tuesday to the scene of the severe flooding that hit western Germany in 2021 to inspect progress in repairing the damage, reported dpa.

Accompanied Hendrik Wüst, state premier of North Rhine Westphalia, one of the states affected by the floods, Merkel met locals, visited businesses and was given information in the town hall of Bad Münstereifel.

Merkel travelled to the town as chancellor in July 2021 to inspect the devastation left by the floods and promised to return. Tuesday's visit was not announced in advance, and residents reacted with surprise.

Two years ago, Merkel was visibly shocked at the damage and at the casualties. Many of the 49 who died in the state lost their lives in Bad Münstereifel.

At least 135 died in the neighbouring state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

"We will not forget you after a short time, but we will constantly check how the reconstruction is going," Merkel told local dignitaries at the time.

On her 2021 visit, Merkel was accompanied by fellow conservative Armin Laschet, state premier at the time. Photographs showing him laughing while inspecting the damage in a different location caused outrage and hurt him in his election bid to succeed Merkel.