Floods cause havoc in Lourdes

Floods in south-west France have forced the closure of the Catholic pilgrimage site in Lourdes and the evacuation of visitors from nearby hotels.

Floods cause havoc in Lourdes

Floods in south-west France have forced the closure of the Catholic pilgrimage site in Lourdes and the evacuation of visitors from nearby hotels.

Water swirled around the grotto where nearly six million believers from around the world, many gravely ill, come every year seeking miracles and healing.

It has been a major pilgrimage site since a French girl’s vision of the Virgin Mary there in 1858.

Lourdes Mayor Jean-Pierre Artiganave said that the site will not reopen until safety can be assured. Rescue services are evacuating hundreds of people from nearby hotels.

Heavy rains around the region inundated town centres and prompted road closures.

more courts articles

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges
Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court
Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody

More in this section

Portrait of King Charles III and Queen Camilla King Charles to resume public duties after positive cancer treatment
sunset over Caribbean Sea, Turtle Beach, Tobago British tourist in hospital after shark attack as Tobago closes several beaches
Pope Francis Pope to bring call for ethical AI to G7 summit in June
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited