After heavy rain, a tidal wave in the Höllentalklamm near Garmisch-Partenkirchen carried away several people. Some of them had been sighted and should be rescued, said a spokesman for the police headquarters of Upper Bavaria South in Rosenheim. Other people would still be missing. The mountain rescue service and rescuers from the water rescue service are on duty.
Eyewitnesses reported that people could have gotten into the water, said the police spokesman. Apparently a bridge was torn away by the floods. According to the observers, there were hikers on this bridge.
100 helpers in action
The measures would now be coordinated at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen police station. In addition to several patrol vehicles from the region, a police helicopter had also been requested. Around 100 helpers are in action, it said.
The Höllentalklamm near Grainau, which has been developed for tourism – a deep and narrow cut in the shell limestone – forms the end of the Höllental in the Zugspitze massif over a length of a good one kilometer. The spectacular gorge with waterfalls and steep rock faces attracts tens of thousands of onlookers every year.
Warning of storms in Bavaria
The German Weather Service warned again of storms in Bavaria on Monday. The main risk is from heavy rain of up to 40 liters per square meter in a short time, said the DWD. Furthermore, severe squalls and hail are possible.