More flooding feared in France

RENNES, France -- Flood-ravaged western France has been swamped by more rain just weeks after its latest dousing, and emergency services said conditions could worsen.

As heavy rains fell on saturated soil on Friday, swollen rivers burst their banks and flooded towns in including Quimper and Quimperle, which were hit in last month's flooding.

Emergency services used boats to rescue stricken residents who were forced upstairs after the water rose to cover ground floor doors and windows.

"We are expecting the situation will get worse in coming hours," said an emergency services spokesman in the flooded town of Redon, 360 km (225 miles) west of Paris.

The country's meteorological office forecast rain to ease slightly but continue in the region on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday a high-speed train derailed in western France after a mudslide covered the tracks. No one was injured in the accident, a spokesman for the state railways said.

Roads in the far west of the country were also closed due to the flooding.

French President Jacques Chirac offered his sympathy on Friday to the victims of the latest floods.

Meanwhile, in Britain flood warnings were still in place despite predictions of torrential rain across the country proving wrong.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Storms batter Western Europe
December 13, 2000

French meteorological office

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