French Riviera floods kills 16

Tragedy struck yesterday in France, when flash floods on the French Riviera killed 16 people and five others were reported missing, prompting the government to declare a natural disaster in the southeastern tourist region.

The victims included three people killed at a retirement home that was flooded in the village of Biot, and seven inhabitants of the town of Mandelieu-la-Napoule who had attempted to reach their cars in a garage, local government officials said.

Five people were still reported missing on Sunday afternoon, which could push the death toll higher, officials said.

The flooding killed two people in the resort town of Cannes, home to the prestigious annual film festival, train stations was flooded and cars were swept along streets.

Many passengers and tourist were stranded as flights were diverted and train services stopped in some areas and limited in other areas.