Storm Monica claims 4 lives in southern France

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – Storm Monica has claimed four lives as of Monday in southern France, according to media reports.

The floods devastated the southern departments of the country over the weekend, trapping victims in their vehicles, the daily Le Figaro said.

A family of four was caught in the floodwaters in the town of Dions, located in the department of Gard.

The mother was rescued, but two children went missing.

Rescuers believe that the body recovered early on Monday belongs to the father.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate a third missing person in the town of Saint-Martin-de-Valamas, in the neighboring department of Ardeche.

On Sunday, three bodies were already recovered in Gard - a man in the village of Gagnieres, trapped in his vehicle, and two women whose vehicle was engulfed by the floods in the town of Goudargues.