France floods: 16 killed in French Riviera after torrential rain hits the region

Three elderly victims died after their retirement home became flooded

Violent storms have damaged cars and property in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France (BORIS HORVAT/AFP/Getty Image)

At least 16 people have died after sudden torrential rain caused devastating flash floods in the French Riviera.

The flooding hit the Alpes-Maritimes region, which borders Italy. Local radio station France Bleu-Azur reported rain levels in Cannes over 17cm (6.7inches) over a two-hour period.

French President François Hollande made a visit to the region, pledging government aid for those affected.

He confirmed that 16 people were found dead in towns including Cannes, Biot, Golfe-Juan and Mandelieu-la-Napoule. Three people are believed to be still missing.

Torrential rain caused flooding in towns along the French Riviera, including Nice and Cannes (VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)

The first victims found were three elderly people, killed when their retirement home became flooded in Biot - a commune in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region.

Authorities in Golfe-Juan reported three people dead after their car became trapped in a flooded tunnel, according to Associated Press.

According to the BBC, the banks of the river Brague burst, allowing more water to rush through the streets.

The A8 motorway and Cannes’ train station have been closed and there were reported sightings of cars being swept down streets by the gushing water.

Mr Hollande took to Twitter to “express the solidarity of the nation to the families and relatives of flood victims in the Alpes-Maritimes”.