Death Toll from flash floods in South East France rises to 25

18th June 2010

The death toll in Var has risen, and may continue to rise according to authorities, the BBC reports here.

The death toll from flash floods in the south-eastern French department of Var has risen to 25.

Authorities warned that more bodies could still be found as they picked through debris swept away by Tuesday's torrential rain above the Cote D'Azur.

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux called it an "unprecedented catastrophe" for the region.

Some 2,000 rescue workers have been drafted in to search for survivors through debris and flooded houses.

A number of towns in the department of Var were affected, with hundreds of homes flooded.

Many of those who died were trapped in their cars as waters surged through streets in the worst hit area, around the town of Draguignan.

Over 30cm of rain fell in the space of a few hours. Here at ON we ask you: is this freak weather incident a result of climate change? Comment below.

Watch BBC video report here...