Seven dead after violent storms cause flooding in Switzerland, France and Italy
Torrential rain causes landslides and flooding across three countries
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least seven people were killed by violent storms and heavy rains that swept France, Switzerland, and Italy over the weekend.
The storms brought torrential rain, causing landslides and dramatic flooding across the region.
In France, three elderly people lost their lives in the Aube region on Saturday when a tree fell on their car during intense winds, local authorities said. A fourth passenger was in critical condition.
In Switzerland, three people were killed by a landslide in the southeastern canton of Ticino while another man was found dead in a hotel in Saas-Grund in the southwestern Valais region, likely caught off guard by a sudden flood.
One person in Valais was missing as rescue workers continued their search.
Civil security services said they had evacuated “several hundred” people in Valais and closed some roads due to overflowing rivers.
Emergency teams were also working to evacuate 300 football tournament participants from Peccia and nearly 70 campers from Mogno.
Some areas in Valais were without electricity and drinking water while roads were closed after the Rhone and its tributaries overflowed in several locations.
In Italy, the northern Aosta Valley saw dramatic flooding after several rivers swelled up.
Greece and Turkey, meanwhile, were grappling with wildfires amid searing temperatures.
Authorities in Athens sent emergency messages for some residents to evacuate and others to stay home and close their windows to protect themselves from smoke.
Some residents and holidaymakers were evacuated in the Turkish district of Izmir as well.
Wildfires have been increasing in intensity in the Mediterranean in recent years.
High temperatures caused by burning coal, oil and gas have been making disasters such as storms and wildfires worse, scientific assessments have found.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments