Seven people drown off France's south coast

MONTPELLIER: Seven people drowned on Sunday off France's Mediterranean coast because of high winds and strong currents, police and rescue services said.
Since Friday a total of nine people have died in similar circumstances.The fire department said the drownings were caused by strong southeast winds of up to 70 knots (around 130 kilometres per hour, or 81 miles per hour.)The winds produced strong currents, it added.

"People venture out to sea and can't make it back," a fire department official said. "We experience this type of event at least once per summer, but this weekend's toll is heavy, above the norm," the official said. (AFP)