German prosecutors investigate two officials over deadly floods

People’s homes were destroyed after flood water ripped through a village (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

German prosecutors have launched formal investigations into whether two regional officials failed to properly warn residents ahead of last month’s floods that killed 141 people and injured hundreds more.

Prosecutors in the western city of Koblenz said investigations had confirmed an “initial suspicion” of negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm against the regional administrator in Ahrweiler county.