Strong floods in England – more than 1,000 properties inundated UN emergency office without access to northern Gaza +++ IS claims attack on Iran as its own

Large parts of England are at risk of flooding. More than 1,000 properties across the country are already flooded, Environment Agency flood expert Caroline Douglass told the BBC on Friday. The number will continue to rise. Almost every river in England carries an exceptional amount of water, with some waters reaching their highest levels ever recorded.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was criticized for initially not traveling to the flood areas. The conservative head of government assured that the authorities had the situation under control. The opposition called for the deployment of a task force.

Significant flooding was expected on the River Trent in the Midlands and Gloucester in the west of England on Friday and Saturday. The effects are likely to be felt for days because the ground is saturated and water is not draining, it said. Hundreds of flood warnings were in force. Aerial photographs showed large areas underwater. Some rail links, especially in western England, were interrupted and roads were also flooded.

About 50 people were rushed to safety in the Hackney Wick area of ​​east London after a canal burst its banks. A moored party boat sank on the Thames in the British capital after heavy rain. No one was injured. (sda/dpa)