FRANCE

Lorry theft

THE recent wave of thefts from Spanish lorries on French roads has forced the Paris government to take urgent measures by setting up the emergency telephone number '17'. This will allow hauliers to report theft of fuel or goods. Lorries on international routes from Spain usually have an average of €3,000 worth of fuel on board.

Cottage fire

A HOLIDAY cottage was devastated by a fire in the town of Wintzenheim near Colmar in the Alsace region of northeastern France. It was later confirmed 11 people died as a result. Ten adults with mild intellectual disabilities and one caregiver, all visiting for the summer holidays from the French city of Nancy were thought to have been among the victims.