Nine people have died in multiple drownings off southern France as stormy weather caused treacherous conditions at sea.

Five died in the Herault region on Wednesday, two in Aude and two in Bouches-du-Rhone.

It comes as strong wind and rain continue to hit the south of the country.

🔴#Intervention|| Les #SapeursPompiers de l’#Hérault sont mobilisés Commune de Marseillan, Sérignan-Plage et @AgdeOfficiel pour des débuts de noyade ou des noyades La mer agitée rend les activités nautiques dangereuses ⚠️ Évitez la baignade #Houle #Vagues #InfoFlash pic.twitter.com/AfW5xoVTXW

The victims in Herault were between 64 and 73, according to France’s BFMTV, and were swimming at beaches off Grande-Mott, Agde, Marseillan, Vias and Serignan.

“I cannot understand how people got in the water when the sea is rough. It’s a dramatic day for our region,” Vias mayor Jordan Dartier told French media.

Seven rescues also reportedly took place in the region, which was under an orange weather alert on Wednesday.

In nearby Bouches-du-Rhone, a 58-year-old man died in Cassis and a 71-year-old in La Ciotat.

Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam tells court the deaths of 130 people were ‘nothing personal’

Southern France lashed by heavy rain, thunder and flooding

France election: Female challengers launch bids to become country’s first woman president

The deaths in Aude were in the Leucate commune.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Authorities said the drownings may have been caused by hidden currents which can drag swimmers out to sea and leave them too exhausted to make it back to shore.

Firefighters in Herault said more stormy weather was on the way and warned people to stay out of the sea.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have caused flooding in southern France, with a few places over the past week getting the equivalent of two months’ rain in a few hours.

Videos on social media have showed torrential downpours in the city of Nimes and flooded streets in Calvisson.

Related posts:

COVID pandemic has now killed three million – as countries see surge in cases World’s largest iceberg melts away after three years, satellite data shows Two men killed as Tesla without anyone in the driver’s seat crashes into tree and catches fire Ceasefire looking unlikely as Israel-Gaza cross-border attacks continue Stockholm arena gets a rebrand to honour late Swedish DJ Avicii Girls killed in Israeli airstrike had told parents ‘we’re going to die, we’re scared’ Paralympic swimmer criticises Heathrow Airport after wheelchair ‘destroyed’ on way to Tokyo British forces returning to Afghanistan ‘not on the cards’, says defence secretary Are they having a bubble? Italy moves to block Croatia as Prosecco row fizzes over ‘Completely free man’: OJ Simpson released from parole early for good behaviour Two children dead and others critically injured after bouncy castle blown into air Man charged over murder of Irish teacher Ashling Murphy