At least 44 dead, dozens missing as floods sweep through western Europe

German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz visits a damaged area following heavy rainfalls in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany, July 15, 2021. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

SCHULD, Germany (Reuters) - At least 42 people have died in Germany and dozens were missing on Thursday as swollen rivers caused by record rainfall across western Europe swept through towns and villages, leaving cars upended, houses destroyed and people stranded on rooftops.

As the water started to recede, stunned residents in the worst affected towns inspected what was left of their homes and neighbourhoods.