A heat wave with temperatures of up to 43 degrees in western France was followed by a change in weather with local heavy storms. A kitesurfer died on the Normandy coast on Saturday night after being thrown into a bar by a gust of wind – the media is reporting a “mini-tornado”. Another athlete was rescued. Rescue workers at sea are in constant use.
During an extremely violent storm, the 31-year-old kitesurfer in Villers-sur-Mer was blown through the air against the facade of a restaurant by a strong gust from the sea, according to the maritime prefecture in Cherbourg. Rescuers were only able to determine the man’s death.
Storm raged over the Atlantic coast
As France Info broadcaster reported, the storm also threw cafe tables and chairs through the air and injured three visitors to a casino. The prefecture has set up a psychological crisis team.
In nearby Deauville, rescuers searched for a person missing at sea by boat and helicopter. A major triathlon organized in the resort was canceled because the athletes’ village tents had been blown up. The participants were offered accommodation in the village. A video posted on Twitter shows the storm raging across the beach and people being swallowed by the blowing sand.
Rescue workers help damaged boats
Since Saturday night’s storms, sea rescuers along the entire French Atlantic coast have been constantly trying to help damaged boats and crews. The Maritime Prefecture in Brest has announced that troops with ships, helicopters and aircraft, as well as military and civil defense support, have been deployed more than 80 times.
Two men on a motorboat who could not give their position had to stay on the water overnight before they were located and rescued. The prefecture called on boaters and leisure captains to stay ashore.
Heat wave with temperatures above 42 degrees
The heat wave peaked in France on Saturday with temperatures above 42 degrees. In Biarritz on the Atlantic coast near the Spanish border, the highest temperature ever recorded was 42.9 degrees.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
