Torrential rain which has fallen in the space of a few hours has caused flash floods in Southern France – the worst-hit areas are Gard, Ardeche and Drome.

A rescue effort is currently underway involves more than 400 firefighters and police as well as four helicopters 700 rescers and helicopters. A 70-year-old German man who was helping to supervise children at one of the summer camps has been reported as missing and some 1600 people have been evacuated – most of them from camping sites.

The storms have followed a heatwave with unusually hot weather in southern France and much of Europe.

Six departments have been placed on flood alert, while about 17,000 homes were without power in the south-west and north-east, according to a statement issued by the French interior ministry.