Storm Xynthia wreaks havoc in France

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=119757§ionid=351020603


France has declared a state of natural disaster after a violent storm swept through Western Europe, claiming at least 53 lives, mostly in France.

The storm, named 'Xynthia', lashed the western coast of France on Sunday, leaving more than one million homes without electricity.

Some 45 French nationals were killed in the tempest, many by drowning or being hit by falling trees and debris.

According to the French Interior Ministry the death toll is expected to rise still higher as more bodies are recovered.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who declared a state of national disaster on Sunday, said the move would release funds to help communities rebuild.

"It's a national disaster and my first thoughts go to the victims and their families, to whom I want to express the government's and the nation's condolence," Fillon said.

He added that now the country's priority lies in making the homeless and "all the people who are still threatened by the rising waters" safe.

Fillon also said that it would take several days to restore power everywhere.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is also due to visit the storm-battered Atlantic coast.

Xynthia has also caused casualties in Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium, damaging houses, collapsing roads and disrupting transportation.

The torrential rains driven by hurricane-force gales of up to 140km an hour (87mph) have now swept northeastwards into the Netherlands and the Swiss Alps.