Lourdes flooded; 450 pilgrims evacuated

October 22, 2012

Flash flooding at Lourdes temporarily closed the famed Marian shrine and caused “serious damage” there, according to an Agence France-Presse report. 450 pilgrims were evacuated from area hotels.

“There have been floods in the past but this one has caused the most damage in the last 30 years,” said Thierry Castillo, an official at the shrine. “We have serious damages which will run into hundreds of thousands of euros.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Lourdes launches massive clean up after flash floods (AFP)
• Lourdes, samedi 20 octobre 2012, 18h : la Grotte sous les eaux en raison de la crue du Gave (YouTube)