Devastating rains across northern Tunisia leave victims

Devastating rains swept across northern Tunisia, killing at least 11 people and leaving six others missing.

Photo: Devastating rains across northern Tunisia leave victims

The deaths, which followed an unusual downpour Saturday, prompted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to cancel a planned visit Monday to the town of Bizerte, the TAP agency reported.

Nine people died after their vehicles were swept away by the swelling flood waters, TAP reported. One person was killed outside Tunis and eight others died in the region of Sabbalat Ben Ammar, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) to the northwest on the road to Bizerte.

Search teams discovered another two victims later Sunday, and the search was continuing, TAP said. Rescuers who rushed to the scenes Saturday pulled out several survivors.

National news broadcasts showed images of several inundated neighborhoods in the capital, Tunis, with floodwaters rising into some homes. Several professional soccer matches were called off.

After a respite Sunday, national weather forecasters predicted further rains on Monday.