Heavy rains and flash floods have killed 17 people in southern Tunisia. Most of the victims were killed when the roofs and walls of their homes collapsed. Others were carried away by flood waters that rose to more than six feet in some areas. Six members of a particular family were among those killed
As a result of the floods, 17 are dead and eight injured, but the search for missing people continues. President Ben Ali gave instructions to ensure an immediate remedy to the situation," state news agency TAP said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred in Redeyef, a town situated in a semi-arid and deprived phosphate mining region that saw riots last year as residents demanded more government help to create jobs.

By this time of the year Tunisia normally enjoys dry season but heavy rains have fallen for days across the North African country and in neighbouring Algeria, where 16 people have been reported killed in the past week