At least three people have died in floods caused by heavy rainfall and storms which have battered southern France since Monday, writes BBC.

The bodies of an elderly couple were found in the seaside resort town of Le Lavandou, while another person died after becoming trapped in a car in Vidauban, local authorities reported on Tuesday.

The rains have caused widespread damage across the region, flooding streets and causing power and water outages. At least two regional trains stopped their journeys overnight after railway tracks were damaged.

The couple who died had tried to leave their home but were swept away, "surprised by the very rapid rise in water levels", the Toulon public prosecutor said.

An investigation has been opened into their deaths.