Riviera Radio Lunchtime News Thursday 9th July 2020

Fire in the port of Le Lavandou - Two motorboats and two sail boats have been completely destroyed after a fire broke out in the early hours of this morning on the port of Le Lavandou in the Var.

Firefighters were deployed to extinguish the fire which quickly spread to several neighboring vessel. An anti-pollution dam has been installed to contain the pollution within the port and a specialized company is expected during the day to decontaminate the area.

Vessels located inside the polluted area may not leave the port until the dam is lifted. Three of the four owners have been notified of the incident and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Scooter accident - A 14-year-old girl is in a critical condition in hospital following a road accident in Hyeres in the Var on Wednesday evening. The teenager who was at the time passenger on a scooter was thrown from the two-wheeler when the 15-year-old driver lost control.

It was the second accident of the evening in the area, a little earlier, around 9 p.m., a motorcyclist was seriously injured following a collision.

President of Scientific Council raises the alarm - The president of the Scientific Council Jean-François Delfraissy, has warned of the decline in vigilance towards Covid-19, especially among young people, and does not rule out a return of the epidemic.

In the report Delfraissy raises the alarm of a possible resurgence of the coronavirus epidemic in France before the fall, due to the relaxation in respecting health instructions.

Although the health authorities no longer report any hospital pressure on capacity and access the group of scientists particularly deplores the behaviour of the younger generation.

In Paris, tiny traces of coronavirus have been found in wastewater for a fortnight, suggesting a slight rebound in the epidemic in the capital.

Covid-19 cases quadruple in Mayenne since June 25th - Meanwhile in north western France the number of Covid-19 cases in Mayenne has quadrupled since June 25th with the virus circulating much faster than in any other department in the region.

Authorities have announced a massive Covid-19 screening plan will be launched next week on the Mayenne population, starting with Laval. Between June 25 and 30 in Mayenne, the number of new Covid-19 positive cases increased from 54 to 109 and then from 109 to 219 between June 30 and July 6. It is this doubling twice and in two weeks of the number of cases which worries the authorities, suggesting that the circulation of the virus is more intense.

Virological and serological screening will be carried out on a voluntary basis and should concern a total of around 300,000 people. Children under 10 are not affected.

Graffiti artist accused of rape and sexual assault - A well-known Parisian graffiti artist has been accused of rape and sexual assault by a group of 25 women. The women filed a joint complaint with the public prosecutor in Paris, saying the alleged attacks took place over the last 11 years.

The artist identified as Wilfrid A who is known for his tag "love runs the streets" has denied the allegations.

The attacks allegedly took place between 2009 and 2020, mostly in the Montmartre district in Paris's 18th arrondissement.