FLOODS IN FRANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 8 March 1930, Page 7

FLOODS IN FRANCE

HEARTRENDING STORIES TOTAL DEATHS NOT VET KNOWN BODIES STILL BEING FOUND (United Presa Association—By Electric (By Telegraph—PreßS Association) PARIS, 6th March. If is estimated thai live hundred houses were carried off al Moissac, The countryside is littered with debris ami furniture. At least ten thousand people are homeless in tho Hooded area. Aeroplanes rescued sixteen men immersed at Saint, Rafrice for 4b 1 hours. The death roll at Moissac. which is 200, would have been much higher, but most people were at a circus otherwise they would have been trapped in their beds. The market place is now an encampment for the circus animals. One villager clutched two s II children and climbed to the top of a wall. from which he was obliged to watch helpless while four others of the family, including his wife, were swept off hv flood.

A weening, mud-stained woman was seen pushing a barrow piled up with furniture ami clothes. Asked whore she was going she replied—" Anywhere; 1 do not care. My husband has been drowned and my child was in his arms."

A wealthy youth was drowned after he had helped over a hundred to escape from their homes. The Minister ot Public Works pinned the ribbon of the Legion of Honour on the dead youth's breast at the hospital. It will he impossible to estimate the total death roll until the end of the week as bodies are continually being found in the ruins of houses.