A French judge placed two German nationals accused of operating an unlicensed holiday camp in southern France under formal investigation after a flash-flood swept through the site, leaving several children injured and one man missing, reports Reuters.
A local prosecutor on Saturday said the two men faced charges of unintentionally causing injuries and putting lives in danger, as well as establishing a campsite without authorization.
Rescuers evacuated more than 180 people from the site in Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas, north of Avignon, after torrential rain on Thursday transformed the Ardèche river into a raging torrent of muddy water.
Divers have not found a 66-year-old holidaymaker who sought refuge from the swollen river in his caravan, only to be swept away.
Lawyers for the two men could not be reached for comment. They were already facing legal proceedings filed by the local authorities for breaching planning regulations.