15 dead in French flash floodsBy the CNN Wire Staff
June 16, 2010 -- Updated 1459 GMT (2259 HKT)
Flash floods flipped cars in a western district of the French south eastern city of Draguignan on June 16, 2010STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Fifteen people killed in flash floods in southern French region of Var
1,000 people in shelters after rescues overnight
All schools in the region were closed Wednesday
France
Paris, France (CNN) -- Fifteen people were killed and 12 were missing after flash floods hit the southern French region of Var, French authorities said Wednesday.
The flooding began Tuesday and more storms were expected Wednesday evening, the Var prefecture said in a statement.
Eleven helicopters worked overnight to rescue people and 1,000 people have been placed in shelters, the prefecture said. Some 1,200 firemen and 650 policemen were taking part in the rescue effort, it said.
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All schools in the region were closed Wednesday and more than 96,000 people were without electricity.
Emergency teams also moved 436 inmates from a flooded prison in the town of Draguignan, where the water covered the first two floors and they were taken to nearby jails, according to Agence France-Presse.
AFP added that the SNCF rail authority had halted all train services between Toulon and Saint-Raphael until Thursday, saying some three kilometres (1.8 miles) of tracks were under water.
President Nicolas Sarkozy issued a statement expressing condolences for the victims' families and support for rescue teams who are "mobilising non-stop to provide aid and find those still missing," the agency reported.
Var includes the Cote d'Azur, a popular tourist destination along the French Riviera.
