Nine people have died and more than 70 are missing following severe floods in western Germany, police say.

Four deaths were reported south of Bonn in the Ahrweiler district, which is a wine-growing region on the Ahr river that flows into the Rhine which burst its banks, bringing down six houses.

The properties in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate collapsed last night. The death toll of nine across the country and 70 missing was reported by Bild newspaper, citing police.

Around 25 more houses are in danger of collapsing in the district of Schuld bei Adenau in the hilly Eiffel region, broadcaster SWR added.

It described the situation in the rural district of Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prum as "extremely dangerous", with dozens of people left stranded on rooftops.

(Source: SKY)