This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8540762.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
West Europe storms leave 16 dead West Europe storms leave 16 dead
(40 minutes later)
At least 16 people have been killed in storms that have lashed parts of Spain, Portugal and France.At least 16 people have been killed in storms that have lashed parts of Spain, Portugal and France.
Winds of up to 140km/h (87mph) caused chaos as they moved from Portugal up through the Bay of Biscay.Winds of up to 140km/h (87mph) caused chaos as they moved from Portugal up through the Bay of Biscay.
Twelve people have died in France and three in Spain as well as a 10-year-old boy in Portugal.Twelve people have died in France and three in Spain as well as a 10-year-old boy in Portugal.
The storm is expected to track north-eastwards during the course of Sunday, reaching Denmark by the evening, French meteorological authorities said.The storm is expected to track north-eastwards during the course of Sunday, reaching Denmark by the evening, French meteorological authorities said.
Falling treesFalling trees
The storm system, which has been called Xynthia, has put five of the 95 French departments on red alert - only the second such warning since the new emergency system was introduced in 2001.The storm system, which has been called Xynthia, has put five of the 95 French departments on red alert - only the second such warning since the new emergency system was introduced in 2001.
Hundreds of thousands of homes in west and south-west France have lost electricity while a number of French coastal villages were flooded.Hundreds of thousands of homes in west and south-west France have lost electricity while a number of French coastal villages were flooded.
Some people had taken to their roofs in the Vendee region, one policeman told the Agence France-Presse news agency by telephone.Some people had taken to their roofs in the Vendee region, one policeman told the Agence France-Presse news agency by telephone.
Police helicopters were in action attempting to locate and rescue people marooned on their roofs.Police helicopters were in action attempting to locate and rescue people marooned on their roofs.
Most of the French fatalities were caused by drowning, but some were killed by flying debris, according to AFP.Most of the French fatalities were caused by drowning, but some were killed by flying debris, according to AFP.
A tree claimed the lives of two Spanish men when their vehicle was hit and a Spanish woman aged 82 was killed by a falling wall in Galicia.A tree claimed the lives of two Spanish men when their vehicle was hit and a Spanish woman aged 82 was killed by a falling wall in Galicia.
The Portuguese boy was also killed by a tree.The Portuguese boy was also killed by a tree.
Rail services were severely affected in northern Spain, and a major road crossing between France and Spain was closed to heavy goods vehicles.Rail services were severely affected in northern Spain, and a major road crossing between France and Spain was closed to heavy goods vehicles.
Air France said that 70 of its flights were cancelled from Charles de Gaulle airport airport in Paris. Air France said that 70 of its flights were cancelled from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.
According to a report on Europe 1 radio, wind speeds hit 175km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower in the French capital.According to a report on Europe 1 radio, wind speeds hit 175km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower in the French capital.
Spain's Canary Islands, particularly La Palma, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, were hit by the storm, although there was no great damage.Spain's Canary Islands, particularly La Palma, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, were hit by the storm, although there was no great damage.