Heavy rains, violent thunderstorms and severe flooding have left at least 16 people dead and three missing in southeast France.
French Presidency confirmed Sunday that sixteen people were killed and three others missing in severe flooding in the country's southeast region.
"Nous déplorons 16 morts et 3 disparus. Le bilan n'est pas encore complet, c'est dire l'intensité de ce qui s'est produit" #AlpesMaritimes
— Élysée (@Elysee) October 4, 2015
Torrential rains triggered flooding that hit the French Riviera region Saturday night, including the cities of Cannes, Nice and Biot.
President Francois Hollade, who is reportedly heading to flood-hit regions, confirmed Sunday that people were found dead in the Riviera towns of Cannes, Biot, Golfe-Juan and Mandelieu-la-Napoule, reported Al Jazeera. He also thanked rescuers for their work so far and offered condolences to the families affected.
Profonde émotion face aux terribles conséquences des intempéries. Mobilisation totale de l'État. Soutien aux familles endeuillées. MV — Manuel Valls (@manuelvalls) October 4, 2015
Downpour along the Côte d'Azur saw the River Brague burst its banks in Biot. Three people drowned after their retirement home in Biot flooded with river water.
Three more drowned in their car in Vallauris-Golfe-Juan near Cannes, and five others died in Mandelieu-la-Napoule on the Cote d'Azur while attempting to reach a safe location, according to DW.
"Some cars were carried off into the sea. We have rescued a lot of people and we must now be vigilant against looting," Cannes mayor Davis Lisnard said, according to RFI.
French authorities said that the downpour and violent storms led to the closure of train services in Cannes, reported Reuters. The A8 motorway, which connects France with Italy, was also closed.
