Death toll from France floods hits 16
The death toll from recent flooding caused by torrential rain and violent storms in southeastern France has reached 16.
Three people are also unaccounted for following the violent storms and severe flooding that hit the Mediterranean coastline of the southeastern France, known as the French Riviera, on Saturday.
French President François Hollande has said the fatalities may rise.
“It’s not over; the toll is not yet finalized. In times like this, we must be fast, efficient and coordinated,” Hollande said as he arrived at a flooded retirement home where a number of people died due to flooding.
According to rescue squads at the French commune of Mandelieu-la-Napoule, at least seven people out of the overall 16 died after their cars became trapped in underground parkings filled with flood waters.
The commune’s mayor Henri Leroy said, “It’s apocalyptic, the parking was half-emptied but there are thousands of vehicles. There could be more bodies.”
Water also inundated Cannes, Nice and Antibes, which changed the streets of the three glamorous cities into debris-strewn rivers.
More than 17 centimeters of rain fell on Cannes in two hours, according to local reports.
Looting possible
Cannes mayor Davis Lisnard said, “Some cars were carried off into the sea. We have rescued a lot of people, and we must now be vigilant against looting.”
It was announced by the Elysée palace on Sunday that the victims of the flooding will receive help and compensation within three months under French law.
French weather forecasters say the worst storms have now passed over the French mainland and are heading for the Italian coast.
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