Picture gallery: French flood tragedy

French PM Jean-Pierre Raffarin has toured the flood-hit parts of southern France where at least 20 people have died and 12 are missing. The Gard, Vaucluse and Herault departments were all hit.

The force of the waters threw vehicles into heaps

The narrow streets of Aramon became waterways

A sombre-looking PM Raffarin flew over the area...

...to see huge areas of countryside under water

Roads and bridges have been swept away

Residents tried to call for help as the waters rose. AP

Many motorists were caught in the flash floods

The elderly were brought to safety by boat