At least one person dead after violent storms hit northern France

The northern French region of Aisne suffered heavy mudslides following heavy rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday.

The town of Courmelles was particularly affected, with a 57-year-old woman dying after being swept away by mudslides.

Her partner was also injured and taken to hospital.

Courmelles Mayor Arnaud Svrcek has triggered the local protection plan and set up a centre to help those impacted by the event, warning citizens to take protective measures, regional authorities said on Thursday.

Some 56 firefighters were deployed to help with the search and rescue effort, authorities said.

In Paris, storms on Wednesday prevented around 40 flights from landing, which were eventually diverted to Nantes and Lyon in France, and Brussels and Liège in neighbouring Belgium.

The extreme weather also led to violent hailstorms in the Yonne department of north-central France, causing significant damage to vineyards in the renowned wine region along the Serein River valley.