A team of German emergency workers is on the ground in Slovenia in the aftermath of severe and deadly flooding. The country's premier says it is the worst natural disaster since Slovenia gained independence in 1991.
A team of experts from Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) has begun assessing damage and preparing for the deployment of further emergency personnel with heavy salvage equipment following devastating floods and landslides in Slovenia.
After the floods, in which at least six died, EU member Slovenia activated the bloc's Disaster Response Mechanism, under which international teams will arrive in the country to help with rescue and recovery operations.
Germany is sending two prefabricated bridges and France will deliver two special excavators. The first THW team has also brought one of two excavators with it.
More volunteers are to follow in the coming days.
The German Foreign Ministry is to finance the mission, which is expected to cost around €700,000 ($767,000).
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Slovenia on Wednesday.
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