At least three individuals have perished amid catastrophic floods that descended upon the southern regions of France due to relentless rain and storms since Monday.
Tragic Flooding in Southern France Claims Three Lives
Tragic Flooding in Southern France Claims Three Lives
Devastating storms wreak havoc in the French Riviera, leading to fatalities and severe infrastructure damage.
The article text:
At least three individuals have lost their lives in floods that have swept through southern France following severe rainfall and storms that began on Monday. Local authorities reported that the bodies of an elderly couple were discovered in the seaside resort town of Le Lavandou, while another victim succumbed after being trapped inside a car in Vidauban. The torrential rains have resulted in widespread destruction, inundating streets and causing significant disruptions to water and power supplies. In addition, railway service was interrupted as at least two regional trains were halted due to damage to the tracks.
According to the Toulon public prosecutor, the couple had attempted to leave their residence but were overwhelmed by the rapidly rising water levels. In response to their deaths, an investigation has been initiated. Officials in Le Lavandou expressed their shock at the magnitude of the natural disaster that struck the Cavalière district. They revealed that the town's center had received an astonishing 256mm of rain within a single hour, leading the mayor, Gil Bernardi, to describe the event as a "truly violent, nasty, incomprehensible phenomenon," with noted destruction of roads and bridges.
The town of Le Lavandou continues to face electricity and water outages, with access to the area limited as the main road remains submerged. In Vidauban, tragedy struck when a vehicle ventured onto a flooded roadway and fell into a ditch, resulting in one fatality. A passer-by attempted to save both individuals in the car, successfully rescuing the driver but leaving the passenger behind.
During the previous day, emergency services in the Var region received over 500 distress calls, and hundreds of emergency responders have been dispatched from nearby cities such as Cannes. While initial emergency warnings for thunderstorms and flooding were issued for Var on Tuesday morning, these alerts have since been downgraded. Reports indicate that more than 600 homes are still without electricity as a result of the ongoing weather crisis. Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms had initially battered southwestern France on Monday night, with notable cancellations on the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line affecting train services for the ensuing days.
At least three individuals have lost their lives in floods that have swept through southern France following severe rainfall and storms that began on Monday. Local authorities reported that the bodies of an elderly couple were discovered in the seaside resort town of Le Lavandou, while another victim succumbed after being trapped inside a car in Vidauban. The torrential rains have resulted in widespread destruction, inundating streets and causing significant disruptions to water and power supplies. In addition, railway service was interrupted as at least two regional trains were halted due to damage to the tracks.
According to the Toulon public prosecutor, the couple had attempted to leave their residence but were overwhelmed by the rapidly rising water levels. In response to their deaths, an investigation has been initiated. Officials in Le Lavandou expressed their shock at the magnitude of the natural disaster that struck the Cavalière district. They revealed that the town's center had received an astonishing 256mm of rain within a single hour, leading the mayor, Gil Bernardi, to describe the event as a "truly violent, nasty, incomprehensible phenomenon," with noted destruction of roads and bridges.
The town of Le Lavandou continues to face electricity and water outages, with access to the area limited as the main road remains submerged. In Vidauban, tragedy struck when a vehicle ventured onto a flooded roadway and fell into a ditch, resulting in one fatality. A passer-by attempted to save both individuals in the car, successfully rescuing the driver but leaving the passenger behind.
During the previous day, emergency services in the Var region received over 500 distress calls, and hundreds of emergency responders have been dispatched from nearby cities such as Cannes. While initial emergency warnings for thunderstorms and flooding were issued for Var on Tuesday morning, these alerts have since been downgraded. Reports indicate that more than 600 homes are still without electricity as a result of the ongoing weather crisis. Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms had initially battered southwestern France on Monday night, with notable cancellations on the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line affecting train services for the ensuing days.
