Storm warning for south-west

AS RESCUE teams continue to search for victims of mudslides after violent storms in Corsica a total of 13 departments in the south-west are now on orange alert for storms.

At least four tourists have died and at least two were injured after storms yesterday afternoon in Corsica at more than 1,500m altitude.

Emergency services were called around 15.00 by a group of French-speaking hikers who were at a difficult stretch of a mountain path, near a flooding stream. They were then carried away by mud and rockslides caused by the violent storms that hit the Monte Cinto mountains yesterday.

There were reported to be violent winds, rain and hail.

Searches are still underway for some people reported missing.

Today Corsica is not at risk, however people are being advised to take great care in the 13 departments on orange alert, which include: Vendée, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Hautes-Pyrénées and Tarn-et-Garonne.

Météo France is warning of violent storms in the south-west corner of France this afternoon and evening.