"Several people were really lifted off the ground, some of them were thrown up to 20 metres (66 feet). A young woman fell on the sand, but the young man, he fell on the cliff," one of the fire officers said.

The violent wind hit the island of Houat before dawn, carrying off some people sleeping in their tents, devastating the campsite and sinking five boats in the port.

Eight people were injured. The surviving 80 campers were taken to a municipal building in shock and were being transported back to the mainland.

An alert for a force seven gale, considered moderate but dangerous, was issued for the area later in the day.

The phenomenon struck during France's peak summer vacation period, when many holidaymakers were on the island.

TERRA.WIRE