Paris: Regional authorities in southeastern France say 11 people have been killed and two are missing in the aftermath of flash floods that followed powerful rainstorms.
Unusually heavy rains recently in the Var region have transformed streets into muddy rivers that swept up trees, cars and other objects. Floodwaters in the city of Draguignan were about 2 meters (6.5 feet) high.
A regional official told France-Info radio Wednesday that some 1,200 people had spent the night in shelters.
Tens of thousands of people are without electricity, and some schools in the region are closed.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences to the region's residents and thanked the emergency response personnel.
A rescue truck is seen in Draguignan, southern France. Unusually heavy rains recently in the Var region have transformed streets into muddy rivers that swept up trees, cars and other objects.
Image Credit: AP
The river Artuby floods Draguignan, southern France. Regional authorities in southeastern France several people have been killed.
Image Credit: AP
A man takes pictures of piled up cars in Draguignan, southern France. Regional authorities in southeastern France say more than a dozen people have been killed and many are missing in the aftermath of flash floods that followed powerful rainstorms. Unusually heavy rains recently in the Var region have transformed streets into muddy rivers that swept up trees, cars and other objects.
Image Credit: AP
