Lourdes pilgrims evacuated amid flood fears

French rescue services and police are evacuating hundreds of pilgrims from hotels threatened by floodwaters from a rain-swollen river in the town of Lourdes.

Lourdes’ grotto is said to be the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette in 1858. Officials said the town draws about six million visitors a year.

A spokesman for the Lourdes sanctuary said the grotto itself was under 1.5m of water after the Gave River over-ran its banks. Visits were temporarily suspended.

Regional government spokesman Anatole Puiseux said about 500 people were being evacuated from riverside hotels, and more rain was forecast for later.

The shrine has special meaning for the suffering, many of whom believe its spring water can heal and even work miracles.