Flood-soiled banknotes make for dirty job at German central bank

Officials at the German central bank are working painstakingly to clean and count banknotes that were badly soiled in the floods that hit parts of western Germany in mid-July, reported dpa.

"Processing the notes has to be done as quickly as possible before they solidify and become as hard as concrete," Bundesbank executive member Johannes Beermann said from the bank's centre for counterfeit and damaged currency in the city of Mainz.

The service is being offered to flood victims free of charge. After counting, the money is to be paid out. One condition is that at least half of the banknote plus a bit more must be present.

Often, the notes submitted are soiled with mud, sewerage and oil. They are first washed and dried before being examined to ensure they are genuine. The bundles often stink when their plastic foil covering is unwrapped.

The Bundesbank estimates it has received around 51 million euros (60 million dollars) in flood-soiled currency, that has either been delivered to local branches or has been sent in by mail. The bank normally receives around 40 million euros in damaged notes each year.

The floods from mid-July claimed 183 lives and caused extensive damage.

The government has set aside some 30 billion euros to compensate victims.