Massive mudslide hits French hamlet

Aftermath of the mudslide (c) Martial Saddier, President of the Departmental Council of Haute Savoie

A torrential mudslide swept through the Haute-Savoie hamlet of Chéron Wednesday night, hitting five of its eleven houses and forcing the evacuation of 21 residents.

The slide came down after heavy rain and buried two people, who were dug out with light injuries and taken to hospital in Sallanches. 

Firefighters checked for further victims, deploying drones, sniffer dogs and swift-water rescue teams. 
The slide is thought to have started nearly two kilometres upstream and covered an area of around 2,500 square metres. 

Those evacuated have been rehoused for an undetermined period.

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