France helicopter crash: Three rescuers killed as storms lash Riviera

The country's interior minister hails the victims as "everyday heroes who gave their lives to protect the French".

Helicopter crash
Image: Police have sealed off the crash site in the hills north of Marseille and officers are scouring the area
Why you can trust Sky News

Three crew members aboard a rescue helicopter have been killed after it crashed en route to help people caught up in heavy flooding in the south of France.

Radio contact was lost with the aircraft as it carried out a search mission between Marseille and Saint Tropez on the storm-lashed Mediterranean coast.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the tragedy.

It is thought poor visibility caused by fog may have been a contributory factor.

France flooding
Image: Torrential rain in the southeastern part of the country has caused major transport disruption

Police have sealed off the crash site in the hills north of Marseille and officers are scouring the area.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has described the three victims as "everyday heroes who gave their lives to protect the French".

Authorities in the region said two other people had also died following torrential rain, including a stable owner whose vehicle was swept away by floodwater as he tried to check on his horses.

More on France

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Floods return to southern France

It comes after six people were killed in floods along the French Riviera a week ago.

Torrential rain has led several rivers to burst their banks in the southeastern part of the country, causing major damage to homes and causing transport disruption.