First Estimates Of Kyrill's Damage Totals - At Least One Billion Euros In Germany Alone - AFP

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The storm that lashed northern Europe caused around one billion euros (1.29 billion dollars) of damage in Germany according to initial estimates, the German federation of insurers said on Friday.

The GDV said it arrived at that figure by comparing the strength of the storm, dubbed Kyrill, with that of the last major tempest that swept through Germany in 2002, nicknamed Jeanett.

In the latest storm, the wind was stronger and the storm lasted longer and affected more parts of the country than the one five years ago, which led to insurance payouts of more than 660 million euros.

"This is why we believe that Kyrill has caused more severe damage," the insurers' federation, the GDV, said in a statement. Eleven people were killed in Germany on Thursday and early Friday as winds gusting up to 200 kilometers (120 miles) per hour uprooted trees and caused damage to buildings.

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