At least 13 dead in French Riviera storms

Helicopters patrolled the region to look for other flood victims and 27,000 homes were without electricity Sunday, after the Brague River overflowed its banks and fierce thunderstorms poured more than 17 centimetres (6.7 inches) of rain on the Cannes region in two hours Saturday night. The country’s Interior Ministry said through a prepared stated that 10 people had been killed while another six remained missing and little hope existed in finding them alive.

It is reported at least 10 people have died and six are missing after violent storms led to severe flooding on the French Riviera.

A local radio station said that the rainfall was equal to two months worth for the region. Torrents of muddy water inundated buildings, roads and railway tracks, disrupting movement along the Mediterranean coast Sunday.

John Canavan was in Cannes as the flood hit and said: “It was slow in the beginning and, in an instant, it was ten times worse”.

A few of the affected areas are still inaccessible, raising concerns there may be more casualties and further damage. Three others were found dead in their vehicle after entering a flooded tunnel, authorities in Golfe-Juan said.

Along the famed seaside promenade of Croisette in Cannes, rain and wind whipped the palm trees in reports broadcast on television Sunday mornings. Cars overturned and roads were slick with mud. Train and auto traffic was interrupted along France’s Mediterranean coast. In Nice, a soccer match in the French first division was abandoned midway due to the rain.

Hundreds of emergency workers were involved in rescue efforts.

Several trains that were halted were carrying Italian pilgrims to or from the shrine at Lourdes, the Associated Press said.