The Ahr valley region. - Survivors of floods persist in their quest for inquiries.
Weeks after the discontinuation of the investigations into the 2021 Ahr Valley flood disaster, some survivors are still protesting against the decision. Ralph Orth, a father of a woman who lost her life in the flood, shared on Monday in Koblenz their plan to hold a vigil with 135 white puppets at the upcoming Justice Ministers' Conference in Hannover.
The artwork by artist Dennis Meseg featuring the bodies covered in white foil is meant to symbolize the 135 victims of the Ahr Valley flood. The installation was previously showcased in Mainz. The specifics of the vigil location and time have yet to be revealed. Orth firmly stated, "We demand that the Justice Ministers' Conference takes up this exceptional legal case of the responsibility for the flood disaster once again and reestablishes order."
Christian Hecken, the lawyer representing the Orth family, also revealed that they've sued the Justice Ministry and Minister Herbert Mertin (FDP) for "inactivity and negligence" at the Administrative Court. The Administrative Court Mainz confirmed the survivors' lawsuit against the Justice Ministry and Mertin in regards to the termination of the Ahr Valley flood investigations.
Orth emphasized, "We still feel the need, even after all this time has passed, to continue doing something – especially with all the other individuals who have lost their lives or been injured." He added, "The responsibility will be reviewed, and justice will be served in the end." The Public Prosecutor's Office in Koblenz ended the Ahr Valley flood investigations in April, leading to the death of 135 people in the Ahr Valley alone and one person unaccounted for.
