DHAKA: Violent storms and flooding have hit south-eastern France, killing at least 17 people with four more missing, officials say.

Three elderly people drowned when their retirement home near the city of Antibes was flooded.

Others died trapped in their cars in tunnels and underground car parks as the waters rose, BBC reported.

French President Francois Hollande announced a state of "natural disaster" in the affected region.

He thanked rescuers and expressed the "solidarity of the nation".

Hollande offered condolences as he visited the retirement home in the town of Biot and urged residents in the region to remain cautious, saying: "It's not over."

BDST: 1007 HRS, OCT 05, 2015
RS