Steinmeier on floods, urges climate change action

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was "deeply affected" by the "devastating effects" of the flooding across parts of western Germany, pledging support to the families of those killed and to cities and towns facing significant damage.

At least 110 people have died in devastating floods across parts of western Germany and Belgium, officials said Friday, as rescue operations and the search for hundreds still unaccounted for continued.

"In the hour of need, our country stands together," Steinmeier said in a statement Friday afternoon. "It's important that we show solidarity with those who have been deprived of everything by the flood."

Authorities in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate said 50 people had died there, including at least nine residents of an assisted living facility for people with disabilities.

In neighboring North Rhine-Westphalia state officials put the death toll at 43, but warned that the figure could rise further.

Calling the events a "tragedy," Steinmeier said he has been in touch with state- and local-level officials who are assessing the extent of the damage.

He added that the crisis makes the effects of climate change, and the need to forcefully combat them, even more apparent.

"Only when we decisively take up the fight against climate change will we be able to limit the extreme weather conditions we are now experiencing," he said.