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At least 45 die in Europe storms At least 50 die in Europe storms
(about 2 hours later)
At least 45 people have been killed in storms that have lashed parts of Spain, Portugal and France, officials say. At least 50 people have been killed in storms that have lashed parts of Spain, Portugal and France, officials say.
Forty of the victims died in western France, where many drowned or were hit by parts of buildings or falling trees. Forty-five of the victims died in France, where many drowned or were hit by parts of buildings or falling trees.
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.
The storm system is moving north-eastwards and is expected to reach Denmark by the evening, French meteorological authorities said. The storm system is moving north-eastwards and areas of France bordering Belgium and Germany are on alert for heavy rain and high winds.
Power cutsPower cuts
Worst affected are the Vendee and Charente-Maritime regions on the western coast of France. Worst affected have been the Vendee and Charente-Maritime regions on the western coast of France.
In pictures: Storm batters Europe
Huge waves and strong gusts battered many coastal towns, spreading floods inland and destroying buildings.Huge waves and strong gusts battered many coastal towns, spreading floods inland and destroying buildings.
Residents took to their roofs in the Vendee region and police helicopters were in action attempting to locate and rescue them.Residents took to their roofs in the Vendee region and police helicopters were in action attempting to locate and rescue them.
At least a dozen people are said to be missing in France and 59 others injured.At least a dozen people are said to be missing in France and 59 others injured.
More than a million homes in France have lost electricity. More than a million homes in France have lost electricity, from the Brittany peninsula in the west to the highlands of the Massif Central in the centre of the country.
In pictures: Storm batters Europe
President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his condolences to relatives of victims, and said that he would visit the stricken area on Monday.President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his condolences to relatives of victims, and said that he would visit the stricken area on Monday.
The storm system, named 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, named Xynthia, has put five of the 95 French departments on red alert - only the second such warning since a new emergency system was introduced in 2001.
Transport hitTransport hit
AFP reported that in Germany, a man was killed and his wife injured when a tree fell on their car in the Black Forest region.AFP reported that in Germany, a man was killed and his wife injured when a tree fell on their car in the Black Forest region.
Earlier on Sunday a falling tree killed two Spanish men in a car near Burgos. A Spanish woman was killed by a falling wall in Galicia, and a Portuguese boy was killed by a tree in Paredes. A female jogger in the western town of Bergheim, and a man in Belgium, were also killed by falling trees.
Earlier on Sunday two Spanish men died when a tree crushed their car near Burgos. A Spanish woman was killed by a falling wall in Galicia, and a Portuguese boy was killed by a tree in Paredes.
Rail services were severely affected in northern Spain and a number of trains in western France were delayed because of flooded tracks.Rail services were severely affected in northern Spain and a number of trains in western France were delayed because of flooded tracks.
Air France said 70 of its flights had been cancelled from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Air France said 100 of its flights had been cancelled from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.
Wind speeds hit 175km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower, French radio reported.Wind speeds hit 175km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower, French radio reported.
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.
Are you in any of the areas affected by the storms? Send us your comments, pictures and video.Are you in any of the areas affected by the storms? Send us your comments, pictures and video.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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