Bodies recovered as flash floods hit Mauritius

2013-04-01 642

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Emergency services recovered bodies on Sunday after flash floods killed at least 10 people in Mauritius.

The deaths occurred on Saturday and most of the victims were trapped in an underpass leading to the Caudan Waterfront, a commercial area in Port Louis.

Video showed people being swept away down a road by the flood water. It is believed they were later saved, after holding on to vehicles which were submerged on the road.

Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam said on Sunday that Port Louis experienced a torrential downpour, with 152 mm falling in two hours.

Residents were left clearing up the debris left behind by the flood waters.

Monday was declared a national day of mourning.