Evening Update Monday 15 July

Storms have affected parts of the Var today. The areas around Frejus, St Raphael and Roquebrune-sur-Argens were particularly affected, with over 1,000 lightning strikes being recorded in the department. In Frejus, the industrial and commercial area of Capitou suffered flooding. An intense hailstorm also affected the area around La Croix-Valmer and Ramatuelle at lunchtime today with hailstones reportedly the size of golf balls. Meanwhile, a waterspout formed in the sea off Antibes this morning. A waterspout also formed off Corsica and apparently reached land. The island is on a Meteo France Orange storm alert until late this evening.

A man is in a critical condition in hospital after jumping from the 4th floor of a building in Nice to escape a fire. The incident happened late last night on avenue Paul-Arène, in the Parc Imperial area. Three people were treated for smoke inhalation but didn’t require hospitalization. Five residents of the apartment building have been temporarily rehoused by the city hall.

A teenager is in a serious condition in Sainte-Anne Hospital in Toulon after losing control of his 50cc scooter.  He was attempting to drive with the front wheel off the ground when he collided with an oncoming car on a road in Six-Fours yesterday.  The occupants of the car were not injured.

Traffic has been disrupted on the A8 motorway near Frejus for most of this afternoon after an accident.  A collision between two vehicles occurred just after midday. Reports say that five ambulances and 23 pompier were involved in the rescue operation and nine people were slightly hurt.

Protesting farmers have blocked a roundabout in Montauroux today.  Traffic was blocked on the RD37 near the motorway access at Les Adrets. This afternoon the blockade has moved to another nearby roundabout.  The farmers are protesting at the arrival of travellers on the land of a local farmer. They say that they are angry at the lack of action by local authorities.

A motorist has been taken into custody after colliding with a motorcycle in Castellet yesterday evening.  Reports say that his car crossed the median line of the road and collided with the oncoming scooter.  He was detained by onlookers until authorities arrived. The scooter driver and pillion passenger were taken to the Sainte-Musse Hospital in Toulon.

A woman and three children have lost their lives after their car collided with a train in the Marne department in northern France.  The accident happened this morning at a level crossing. The prosecutor's office in Reims has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

BUSINESS

The Chinese economy grew 6.2% from a year earlier in the three months to June, according to new Chinese government figures. That’s the slowest rate of growth since the early 1990s.

Citigroup has reported a 7% increase in second quarter net income to $4.8bn. It is the first of the big US banks to report second quarter results.

French car maker PSA Group has reported a 12.8% drop in sales in the first half of the year. In Europe sales were 0.3% higher, but sales outside Europe fell. In China deliveries fell by 60%.

SPORT

Cycling.. It’s been stage 10 of the Tour de France today - a flat 218km from Saint-Flour to Albi. Geraint Thomas has moved up to second in the overall race after the conclusion of the stage, with Julian Alaphilippe still in first place overall. Belgian rider Wout van Aert won the stage, followed by Elia Viviani in a sprint finish.

Football.. Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas has been given a role on the club's coaching staff as he continues his recovery from a heart attack. Porto say that his role is to "ensure the connection between the players, the coach and management". The Spanish World Cup winner, who is 38 years old, suffered the heart attack during training in May.