Violent storms hit France

Violent storms lashed through northern and eastern France yesterday, killing five people and forcing officials to close a Christmas market and Paris tourist attractions, such as an ice-skating rink on the Eiffel Tower.

In Paris, a 61-year old woman died when her car was crushed by a tree. A man was decapitated by a tile torn off a roof in the western suburb of Vernouillet, local authorities said. Three others died in northern France.

As winds blew with up to 130 km per hour, tens of thousands of households had their electricity cut off, and police sealed off major roads and bridges.

In the northern city of Rouen, officials evacuated the traditional Christmas market near the cathedral.