Belgium Declares July 20 National Day of Mourning over Flood Victims

Belgium declared July 20 as a national day of mourning, as the country confirmed 20 deaths from the flash floods, on Friday, with 20 others still missing.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced that Tuesday will now be a day of mourning, ahead of Belgian National Day on Wednesday.

"Tuesday, July 20 will be the day of national mourning," De Croo wrote in a tweet.

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“Our country is going through very difficult moments,” De Croo told reporters. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. The whole country sympathises with them.”

“What should have been beautiful summer days have suddenly become dark, pitch-black days for many of our compatriots,” he added.

The final balance still has to be made up, but this could “possibly be the worst floods that ever happened in Belgium.”

On her part, Interior Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden expressed her sympathy, saying that her thoughts “go first and foremost to the victims, I sympathise deeply with the families.”

“The uncertainty of friends and family of people who have gone missing must be unbearable,” Verlinden added.

Officials stated that at least 100 people have died in the devastating floods across parts of western Germany and Belgium, noting that rescue operations continue.