At least three individuals have tragically lost their lives due to catastrophic flooding in the French Riviera, prompting emergency responses across the impacted areas.
Devastating Floods Claim Lives in French Riviera Region
Devastating Floods Claim Lives in French Riviera Region
Severe storms lead to significant destruction and fatalities in southern France as rescue efforts continue.
At least three people have died as a result of severe flooding caused by torrential rains and storms that have afflicted southern France since Monday. Local authorities confirmed that an elderly couple was found deceased in the resort town of Le Lavandou, while a third individual perished after their vehicle was swept away in Vidauban. The intense rainfall triggered widespread devastation, with streets inundated and widespread outages to power and water services.
Rail services were disrupted as at least two regional trains were halted due to damage to the railway tracks. Officials stated that the couple who lost their lives had attempted to evacuate their home but were overwhelmed by the rapidly rising water. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths is currently underway.
"We are stunned by the magnitude of this natural disaster that has struck the Cavalière district this morning," local officials in Le Lavandou expressed, noting a staggering 256mm of rainfall in just one hour. The town, located about 30km (18 miles) east of St Tropez, is a popular holiday destination on the French Riviera. Mayor Gil Bernardi described the event as "a truly violent, nasty, incomprehensible phenomenon," as roads were torn apart and bridges were damaged.
As of Tuesday, residents in Le Lavandou continued to face electricity and water shortages, with access to the town severely hindered by ongoing flooding on the main road. In Vidauban, the mayor reported a tragic accident where a car encountered a flooded road and fell into a ditch, leading to the death of one passenger despite a good Samaritan's attempts to help.
Emergency services in the Var region have received over 500 calls for assistance in the last 24 hours, with hundreds of emergency rescuers deployed, including personnel from nearby Cannes. While Var was initially placed on high alert for thunderstorms and flooding, the warnings were later downgraded to a lesser level. As of earlier reports, more than 600 homes remain without power, and significant disruptions to train services persist, particularly affecting the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line, with cancellations expected to continue for several days.
