French singer dies on stage of suspected electrocution

A 35-year-old French folk singer has died of a suspected electrocution while performing during a storm in a hilltop church, local authorities say.

The accident took place about midnight on Wednesday in a church in the medieval village of Gourdon, about 200km inland from Bordeaux in the southwest.

Barbara Weldens was taking part in a festival when she collapsed after the venue experienced an electrical fault.

Emergency workers rushed to the scene but were unable to resuscitate her.

An investigation has been launched into her death.