A freak hurricane-force wind has struck the French capital Paris and much of the country's north, killing at least six people, say the emergency services.
Tens of thousands of homes have been left without electricity.
The storm hit Paris without warning and lasted only a few minutes, but caused havoc there and across the north.
The storm caused delays at airports in Paris and brought some train services to a halt. The Eiffel Tower, parks and other outdoor facilities were closed.
The gusts of up to 130 km/h (80 mph) prompted the French national weather service, Meteo France, to issue its second-highest alert and warning against people using their cars, says the AFP news agency.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4106569.stm
Tens of thousands of homes have been left without electricity.
The storm hit Paris without warning and lasted only a few minutes, but caused havoc there and across the north.
The storm caused delays at airports in Paris and brought some train services to a halt. The Eiffel Tower, parks and other outdoor facilities were closed.
The gusts of up to 130 km/h (80 mph) prompted the French national weather service, Meteo France, to issue its second-highest alert and warning against people using their cars, says the AFP news agency.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4106569.stm