Deadly Storms Ravage France, Switzerland, and Italy

Ferocious storms and torrential rains wreaked havoc across France, Switzerland, and Italy over the weekend, resulting in at least seven fatalities, according to local authorities. In southeastern Switzerland, three individuals perished in a landslide triggered by heavy rains. Another man was found dead in a hotel in Saas-Grund, Valais, likely caught off-guard by sudden flooding. In France’s Aube region, three seniors died when a tree fell on their car. Multiple evacuations were carried out in Switzerland’s Valais and Ticino cantons, with infrastructure severely impacted, including collapsed bridges and flooded streets. Northern Italy also experienced significant flooding and mudslides, though no deaths were reported. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis highlighted the severity of these events, linking them to climate change. The chaos extended to the Euro 2024 football championships in Germany, where a match was delayed due to adverse weather conditions.