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Severe flooding in south of France leaves three dead

Some 2,000 firefighters and rescue workers were deployed in region as rivers burst their banks, blocked roads and caused significant damage.

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At least three people have died after floods hit the south of France, France's Interior Ministry confirmed, reports the BBC.

About 2,000 firefighters and rescue workers were deployed to the region, where rivers burst their banks, blocked roads and caused significant damage.

It is not known if a 68-year-old woman who was swept away from her home in Béziers is among the fatalities.

Flash floods also devastated parts of northern Italy and Spain this week, where three others died.

In a statement, the French interior ministry said the heavy rain was now moving down towards northern Corsica.

"Over the past three days, particularly severe storms have hit the south of France, causing three deaths and serious damage to the region," the French Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Read more of this report from the BBC.