15 killed, 12 missing as floods hit France
Source: Agencies |
June 17, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FIFTEEN people were killed and another 12 missing after flash floods hit southeastern France, turning city streets into meters-high brown rivers that swept away cars, trees and parts of houses, the government of the Var region said yesterday.
About a dozen helicopters worked all night on Tuesday to evacuate people trapped by the floodwaters, which reached about 2 meters high in some areas.
About 1,200 people spent the night in shelters and tens of thousands were still without electricity or phone service yesterday afternoon, according to the Var government.
Meteo France meteorological service has forecast more rain for the region overnight and today.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences to residents and thanked emergency personnel.
In a statement, Sarkozy said his "first thoughts go out to the victims" and underscored his "solidarity with the inhabitants of the Var region who have had to go through this very difficult natural disaster."
French television broadcast images of high muddy brown water slamming over walls and coursing through city streets.
The flood left cars stacked on one another and ripped the siding off houses.
The city of Draguignan, which is about halfway between Marseille and Monaco, was hit particularly hard, with eight of the deaths registered there.
In Draguignan, the floodwaters reached 2m high.
Residents of the city worked yesterday to clear the mud and water from houses and businesses and the streets of rubble.
About a dozen helicopters worked all night on Tuesday to evacuate people trapped by the floodwaters, which reached about 2 meters high in some areas.
About 1,200 people spent the night in shelters and tens of thousands were still without electricity or phone service yesterday afternoon, according to the Var government.
Meteo France meteorological service has forecast more rain for the region overnight and today.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences to residents and thanked emergency personnel.
In a statement, Sarkozy said his "first thoughts go out to the victims" and underscored his "solidarity with the inhabitants of the Var region who have had to go through this very difficult natural disaster."
French television broadcast images of high muddy brown water slamming over walls and coursing through city streets.
The flood left cars stacked on one another and ripped the siding off houses.
The city of Draguignan, which is about halfway between Marseille and Monaco, was hit particularly hard, with eight of the deaths registered there.
In Draguignan, the floodwaters reached 2m high.
Residents of the city worked yesterday to clear the mud and water from houses and businesses and the streets of rubble.
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