French and Riviera News Wednesday 4th September 2024

News

12 people die after boat capsizes in Channel - French officials have said that a pregnant woman and six children are among the 12 people who died after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Channel off the coast of Boulogne sur mer on Wednesday. According to France’s interior minister fewer than eight people were wearing lifejackets on the overcrowded vessel. Rescuers saved 51 people from the boat, including two who are in a critical condition.

Politics - Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has officially announced his candidacy for the next presidential election in France in 2027. The mayor of Le Havre told French media that what he was preparing for the French was “massive” saying “the French will decide”. The news comes as French President Emmanuel Macron is still struggling to appoint a Prime Minister. Macron has been discussing with potential candidates, including former Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Xavier Bertrand.

Local

Weather warning - Meteo France has placed the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes regions on an orange weather alert due to heavy thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall hail and strong winds. The warning is in place from 6pm in the Var and at 9pm in the Alpes-Maritimes. The bad weather is expected to last through the night and into Thursday morning.

Climate Change – Meanwhile, according to recent data from Météo France this summer the South-East rec