At least three dead and two missing after 'violent' thunderstorms trigger heavy flooding in French Riviera
At least three people have died and two others remain missing after 'violent' thunderstorms hit the French Riviera, with torrential rain leading to widespread flooding.
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms swept the southern French region late on Monday - an area popular among British expats, with images surfacing online showing the extent of the damage.
Two people are believed to have died near Le Lavandou, a coastal area west of St.Tropez, with reports suggesting the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away following torrential rain.
The elderly couple were 'surprised' by the rapidly rising water levels while out driving their vehicle, according to Var public prosecutor Samuel Finielz.
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CATASTROPHE DANS LE VAR : Au moins 3 morts, un disparu et un blessé grave dans les inondations après les orages stationnaires.
— Infos Françaises (@InfosFrancaises) May 20, 2025
Des voitures ont été emportées par les eaux. Une partie de la commune du #Lavandou est coupée du monde. Des routes et des ponts sont détruits. "C'est du… pic.twitter.com/JpTzUwNFVD
A third person person died in the Vidauban area, after becoming trapped in a car, local authorities reported, with several others still missing, according to French newspaper La Connexion.
Local mayor Claude Pianetti told the media a passer-by had attempted to save two people who were travelling in the vehicle, but the member of the public was only able to rescue the driver.
Images uploaded to social media show cars submerged by a fast flowing wall of water, with objects swept away following heavy thunderstorms.
"Everything's flooded, the roads are cut off, areas near the beach have collapsed, the bridges are completely destroyed," the Mayor of Le Lavandou, Gil Bernardi, told local media on Tuesday.
🌊 Vue aérienne montrant l'ampleur impressionnante de la #crue de la #Môle dans le #Var ce mardi 20 mai 2025. Au moins 1 victime à déplorer au Lavandou. (photo Dimitri Masson) pic.twitter.com/7laPIZ0m0I
— Guillaume Séchet (@Meteovilles) May 20, 2025
An investigation into the elderly couple's deaths has now been opened.
"We are in shock at the scale of the natural disaster that struck the Cavalière district this morning," officials in Le Lavandou said.
The heavy flooding follows around 256mm of rain in just an hour.
Firefighters in the south-west of France were called out to hundreds of homes late on Monday, before storms continued eastwards.
🥺 ⚡⚡ Quand la nature reprend ses droits....😐😞😞
Posted by Romain Pergola on Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Taking to social media, French meteorologist Guillaume Sechet posted an image showing the extent of the flooding.
"Aerial view showing the impressive scale of the #crue of the #Môle in the #Var this Tuesday, May 20, 2025," he wrote in a translated post.
"At least 1 victim to be deplored in Lavandou. (photo Dimitri Masson)"
The banks supporting train lines were washed away, with other images showing widespread disruption.