Extreme weather in the southern part of the Grand Duchy - situation at 2.30 a.m.

Late in the evening, Minister Dan Kersch in place of Minister of the Interior Taina Bofferding, accompanied by members of the Crisis Cell, visited the area affected by the extreme weather conditions.

He was able to see that the work implemented by the various players in the field was both coordinated and effective.

Of the total of 14 victims, two are still in hospital.

The provisional toll for Pétange drawn up by the Government's Crisis Cell at 2.30 a.m. on 10 August 2019 stands at about thirty houses with no roof left and about fifty homes with a severely damaged roof. In Käerjeng, about a hundred houses have been damaged by the wind, including about thirty with damage to the roof.

Since there is a risk of the high-voltage line damaged by the fall of a number of pylons giving way completely, rail traffic in both directions between Pétange and Luxembourg City via Dippach has been stopped as a preventive measure. The police has also established a safety perimeter around Cactus Bascharage. There will be no access to the neighbouring shops until the site has been definitely made safe.

Since high winds are still being forecast for Saturday daytime, the public is requested to avoid the area in order to prevent any accidents as a result of debris dislodged by the wind. 

The public is reminded that everyone at or near the affected areas are required to obey any instructions given by the authorities.

Nearly 200 volunteer and professional firefighters and about forty members of the police have been involved in the emergency operations so far. On behalf of the Government, Minister Dan Kersch has already thanked not only all the services involved but also all the private individuals who have been helping on the spot or have spontaneously offered their help.

The hotline for anyone affected by these events or wanting more news is still active: the number is 8002 8080. From outside the Grand Duchy, the number is 00352 4977 1 9147.

To keep the press abreast of the situation and future action, a press conference will be held at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, 10 August 2019 at the Kulturhaus Käerjenger Treff at 54c Avenue de Luxembourg in Bascharage.

(Communicated by the Government's Crisis Cell / High Commission for National Protection)