Flood disaster: Why rescue in the life aid house failed!

Flood disaster: Why rescue in the life aid house failed!

In July 2021, twelve people died in a life aid house in Sinzig in July 2021. Many questions about responsibility and crisis management, especially the role of the then district administrator Jürgen Pföhler, are still unclear. In the night from July 14th to July 15th, 2021 there was a catastrophic increase in the water level, which unexpectedly hit the facility. According to SWR, only four residents could be saved by one night service employee from one of the two buildings. Drowned twelve other residents on the ground floor.

among the deceased was also welcome, who would be 42 years old today. His mother, Simone, who had hoped for a timely evacuation from those responsible, is now full of questions. After all, there were eight hours between the first victims in Dorsel and the flood in Sinzig, and yet an evacuation had not been made. Experts such as disaster protection specialist Gerd Gräff are convinced that a rescue would have been possible. For example, an evacuation plan that would have been necessary for a high -risk area would have made a quick reaction possible.

Missing warnings and organizational problems

The problems seem to go deeper. During the event, there were reports of overload and communication problems in the crisis team. This is also evidenced by the RP report that employees Pföhler describe as "agile" and "personally affected". While he was considered to be decisive in previous crises, such as Corona pandemic, he no longer seemed to be the old one that night. Over 750 people were injured and the effects of the flood achieved a number of 134 fatalities.

The public prosecutor's office had a procedure against Pföhler that accused him of responsibility for the catastrophe. However, it is examined for pressure from the bereaved, especially the parents of Stevie, whether a resumption of the procedure can be considered. The crisis management expert Gräff also criticized an expert opinion that denied the possibility of evacuation and called for a differentiated view of the events.

crisis management: an empty concept?

Crisis management in such disasters is often presented as a challenge for everyone involved. It is crucial that public and private actors work together effectively. The BBK (Federal Office for Population Protection and Disaster Aid) not only offers support for authorities, but also works on the constant improvement of the crisis organizations. In view of the tragedies of the Ahrflut and the teachings that need to be drawn from it, it could be time to fundamentally rethink the structures and procedures in Germany.

The current events related to the Ahrflut not only raise questions about the past, but also demand answers for the future. How can similar disasters be prevented in the future? And above all: Why were the lives of the residents not protected in time? The attention for these tragic events remains essential so that such mistakes do not repeat.