20 dead in French Riviera floods

Regional officials say the death toll in flash floods in the hills above the French Riviera has risen to 20, and a jail and nursing home have been evacuated. More rain fell overnight into today morning, according to the regional administration for the Var region.

Regional officials say the death toll in flash floods in the hills above the French Riviera has risen to 20, and a jail and nursing home have been evacuated.

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More rain fell overnight into Thursday morning, according to the regional administration for the Var region.

Rescuers who have been saving the stranded are now focussing on cleaning up the debris. Wednesday's floods swept away cars, trees and parts of houses in the picturesque hills behind a portion of the Riviera.

The administration says in a statement that 20 people have died and that a dozen people missing on Wednesday have been found. The penitentiary center and a nursing home in the town of Draguignan were evacuated overnight.