Gendarmerie destroyed by the storm Alex: "Most have lost everything, except their vocation"

In the south-east of France, it will take months to regain a semblance of normal life, while the emergency services are still looking for possible victims.

Four days after the deadly passage of Storm Alex, the region is partially devastated and many residents have lost everything.

In Saint-Martin-Vésubie, one of the most damaged villages, the very impressive images of the gendarmerie barracks washed away by the waves have marked the spirits.

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Inside the barracks, built along the Vésubie, there were ten people in the service building, where the families are housed.

There were seven gendarmes there, but also the spouses and a child.

The soldiers, sensing the danger, evacuated everyone.

"Gradually, the building tipped completely into the bed of the river and was almost washed away," said Colonel Debeir, second in command of the Groupement de gendarmerie des Alpes-Maritimes.

A precious material saved from the waters

"Thanks to the intervention of the soldiers on the spot, we avoided a tragedy", continues the gendarme at the microphone of Europe 1. "In fact, they reacted to the rise in water and the damage that the They evacuated intervention equipment to continue their mission. They found themselves with vehicles and equipment that they were able to save. There, they spent the night organizing rescue missions for the benefit of the population. Most have lost everything except their vocation. "

At the height of the bad weather, the chief warrant officer of this barracks was himself missing, carried away on a road which gave way under his feet.

Olivier Morales will be found the next day, safe and sound.

Even if they have lost everything, no less than 500 gendarmes are on the ground to provide assistance to the victims.