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French gov't gives "many millions of euros" to flood stricken regions: PM

Xinhua, June 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Monday announced an emergency fund worth "many millions of euros" to bring help to people in regions struck by deadly floods.

"The government has decided to mobilize in the coming days an extreme emergency fund for people who lost everything because of the flood," Valls said, adding the aid would be worth "many millions of euros."

Valls said flooding could cost the state "many hundreds of millions euros," noting that "it would take several days to get an accurate estimate."

Last week, torrential and prolonged rainfalls caused fatal floods in the French capital and surrounding regions, triggering the evacuation of thousands of residents.

In Paris, the rising water of the Seine river disrupted rail traffic and forced the capital's two iconic Le Louvre and Orsay museums to shut their doors in order to move their precious artworks to safety.

The Seine reached a peak on Saturday morning at 6.10 meters before subsiding.

"It will take long for the water levels to recede. We must, in the coming days, remain extremely cautious and vigilant," said Valls.

Four people died in the floods, 24 were wounded and about 20,000 people were evacuated from their homes, according to authorities. Endit