Seven people are missing in France after heavy flooding in the Gard and Ardèche regions. Three Belgians are also among the missing, French media report. A fourth Belgian was rescued by French emergency services from the tree in which he had taken refuge.
The southeast of France was hit by heavy rain and flooding on Saturday. In seven departments, code orange applied for heavy rainfall, as a result of the passage of storm Monica over the southeast of the country.
First Belgian missing
Two Belgians are said to have tried to cross a bridge in the village of Gagnières in their car on Saturday evening at 7.45 pm. According to French media, these are two Belgians who have lived in the region for 12 years: a 42-year-old man and his father-in-law, in his sixties.
However, the road in question was closed, and a police officer reportedly asked the driver not to drive onto the bridge. The father-in-law was then said to have been swept away by the water – in circumstances that are currently unclear. The 42-year-old man managed to get himself to safety via the roof of the car and take refuge in a tree. That man was rescued by emergency services after more than two hours.
Lost contact with two Belgian women
In another incident, around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning, the French emergency services received an emergency call from two Belgian women, aged 47 and 50, who were on their way to Spain. The two said they got into trouble while crossing a bridge in Goudargues. Telephone contact was then lost and the women in question have not yet been found.
Two children are also missing
In a third incident, a car carrying a father and two children – aged four and 13 – was swept away by the water as they also tried to cross a flooded bridge in Dions. The mother (40) has now been found by the emergency services and taken to hospital.
A seventh man went missing in Saint Martin-de-Valamas.