The death toll in French coastal cities rose to at least 9 people killed on Wednesday after three hours of heavy rains triggered flash flooding that swamped the resorts and beaches extend along the Mediterranean seas.
In response to this disaster, rescue teams have been deployed to Agde, La Grande-Motte, Marseillan, Serignan, and Vias to save 12 people drowning off beaches.
In a statement, the French authorities said seven persons were rescued but five tourists died, including two swimmers who died in Cassis and La Ciotat in the Bouches-du-Rhône area.
"Indeed, they drowned after being dragged out to sea," the French authorities reported.
Commenting on the reasons for this unusual crisis, Grégory Coutarel, head of search and rescue in Bouches-du-Rhône, said: "On weekdays, enjoying the sea at 24C is quite exceptional, and can tempt tourists."
"As the weather now stays warm for longer, lifeguards should be kept in place "until the end of September or even until mid-October," he added.
Similarly, rescue officials revealed that the warm temperature of the water had tempted people to swim, even though conditions were not ideal.
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