Six dead in southern France floods, rescue helicopter crash
Updated 19:47, 03-Dec-2019
CGTN
00:27

 

Three emergency workers on a flood rescue mission in France have died after their helicopter crashed.

They were attempting to help people stranded in flood waters.

The helicopter lost radio contact and authorities say poor visibility may have been an issue.

Three other people died after being swept away in floods.

France's southern coast has been ravaged by heavy rain for the last week, causing widespread disruption.

(Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP)

(Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP)

The crash happened near Marseille in southern France while the helicopter was on a rescue and reconnaissance flight in the Var region.

An investigation was under way to determine the circumstances of the crash on a hillside at Pennes-Mirabeau, a small hamlet to the north of Marseille.

The floods in the French Riviera came a week after extreme weather left six dead in the Var region.

Monday afternoon also saw a landslide at Mees, a small village 100 kilometers north of Marseille.

Rocks destroyed several houses and injured two people, the local prefecture said, citing the "highly unfavorable weather conditions of these past few days."