US President Joe Biden offers condolences to visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel after major floods killed at least 59 people in her country. "Chancellor Merkel, I want to express to you and to the people of Germany my sincere condolences and the condolences of the American people for the devastating loss of life and destruction due to the flooding over the past 24 hours in Germany and neighboring countries," Biden says as he opens a joint news conference from the White House in Washington, DC.

Large parts of Germany's Eifel region have been devastated by the recent floods. Its remoteness makes up much of the charm of this mountainous region, but this has also hindered rescue efforts.

Rumors that the bodies of 600 children have been found in Germany's flood disaster areas are rife on social media and other online platforms. DW looked into the story to find the origin of the false reports.

German regional and federal leaders have agreed to share the costs of rebuilding after July's devastating floods. Chancellor Angela Merkel called it a symbol of "national solidarity."