A violent storm broke out late Monday afternoon in Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées. According to local newspapers, lightning struck in the area of Pic de Jer, cutting off power to the funicular connecting the Marian city.
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The passengers would then have been suddenly thrown towards the back of the cabin. According to the sub-prefect of Argelès-Gazost, the death toll would be at least twelve injured, two of whom were serious, France 3 reported. A three-month-old baby would be among the victims, adds franceinfo .