Six people have died as snow, ice and freezing temperatures continue to wreak havoc across parts of Europe. In France, three people died and 15 were injured in road accidents in the Landes region, while two more were killed in the Paris area. In Bosnia, a woman died after a snow-covered tree branch fell on her in Sarajevo.
Travel disruption is widespread. About 40% of flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle and 25% at Orly are expected to be cancelled on Wednesday to allow for snow clearing. In the Netherlands, hundreds of flights were cancelled at Amsterdam Schiphol, and rail services were suspended due to an IT outage compounding the weather chaos. Eurostar services from Amsterdam to Paris have been cancelled or delayed.
Freezing temperatures have gripped much of Europe, with the thermometer plunging below -10°C in parts of Germany. In Britain, temperatures fell to -12.5°C overnight, disrupting rail, road and air travel and forcing hundreds of school closures in northern regions.
In Italy, lowland areas in the north are below freezing, while central and southern regions face heavy rain. Incessant rain in Rome has swollen the Tiber River, and two large pine trees have fallen in recent days. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has restricted access to parks and areas at risk of flooding or falling trees.
Balkan countries are also affected, with heavy snow and rain causing traffic problems and disrupting power and water supplies. In Serbia, emergency measures have been introduced in some western areas, and drivers are warned to take care as many travel for Orthodox Christmas. Croatia and Montenegro are experiencing heavy wind and stormy seas along the Adriatic coast.
