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FRANCE-WEATHER-ACCIDENT
France clears up after storm Miguel kills three
LES SABLES-D’OLONNE, France, June 8, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – France was clearing
up Saturday after a massive storm ripped across the country, leaving three
dead and thousands of homes without electricity.
Three rescuers from the French ocean rescue service died Friday when their
vessel capsized in rough seas as Storm Miguel pummelled the Atlantic coast.
“In late morning, a boat from the SNSM capsized 800 metres from the coast
around Les Sables d’Olonne with seven people on board,” the local
prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Three of them died while four managed to swim to shore, the statement
added.
“These tragic deaths have sparked deep emotions within the ocean rescue
services,” said SNSM chief, Xavier de la Gorce.
The team from the National Society of Sea Rescue (SNSM) had been
attempting to help a fishing boat which was struggling in the giant swell
caused by storm Miguel, which packed winds of up to 120 kilometres an hour
(75 mph).
Maritime officials said the crew was using one of the SNSM’s “all weather”
vessels, specially designed to be unsinkable and to automatically right
itself if capsized. National electricity company Enedis said meanwhile that
28,000 homes were without power Saturday, with Normandy and northern parts of
Acquitaine the worst affected.
“More than 1,000 personnel have been mobilised in the affected regions,”
it said in a statement.
In Paris meanwhile, a man was seriously injured after a falling tree
knocked down a street light which hit him.
Rescue officials said the manwas fighting for his life after the incident
in the 19th district in the northeastern part of the city that was hit by
high winds.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1432 hrs