Snow and ice trigger lethal accidents in France, disrupt Europe journey

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Snow, ice and freezing temperatures hit components of Europe on Tuesday, inflicting treacherous site visitors circumstances that left a minimum of 5 individuals lifeless in France and forcing the cancellation of lots of of flights from one of many continent’s busiest airports.

Authorities within the Landes area of southwestern France reported three lifeless in accidents, and a minimum of two extra individuals have been reportedly killed within the Île-de-France area round Paris, the place authorities ordered vehicles off the highway as snowfall triggered big site visitors jams on Monday.

Paris awoke Tuesday to a blanket of snow on its well-known rooftops and websites, and kids whose faculties couldn’t maintain lessons delighted in an surprising time off. Air vacationers have been much less completely satisfied, as heavy snowfall pressured the closure of six airports within the north and west of France.

Dutch climate woes

As snow fell throughout the Netherlands, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport reported that some 600 flights have been grounded through the day as crews labored to clear runways and de-ice planes ready to depart. More snow was forecast for the remainder of the week.

Dutch airline KLM warned vacationers stranded at Schiphol that scammers posing as customer support workers have been focusing on passengers and incorrect cellphone numbers for the airline have been circulating on-line. It warned individuals “to be alert to these phishing attempts. Do not respond to such messages, and do not share any personal or payment information.”

KLM additionally mentioned it was operating in need of the glycol fluid it makes use of mixed with sizzling water to de-ice planes earlier than they take off. It mentioned airports throughout Europe have been going through related issues after days of freezing temperatures.

Just attending to and from the airport outdoors the Dutch capital was a battle with frozen factors and an early morning software program glitch throwing the Netherlands’ rail system into turmoil.

Limited rail companies resumed later within the morning however routes round Amsterdam remained largely closed due to the icy circumstances, nationwide railway firm NS mentioned on its web site. It urged commuters to “only travel if it’s absolutely necessary.”

Commuters pressured to drive to work additionally confronted time-consuming journeys as a mix of the snow and ice snarled site visitors on some highways.

Thijs Rademakers, an 18-year-old pupil, determined to experience his bike moderately than await public transport.

“It was tough, very slippery,” he mentioned within the jap metropolis of Arnhem. “Many people fall. Luckily, I didn’t.”

Rome’s moist climate limits numbers at pope’s Epiphany blessing

In Rome, weeks of rain which have swollen the Tiber River over its banks once more muted Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas-time celebrations. St. Peter’s Square was solely partially full Tuesday as a couple of thousand individuals crowded underneath colourful umbrellas to listen to Leo ship his Epiphany blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Rome has been soaked by regular rains since earlier than Christmas, and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri issued an ordinance for Tuesday limiting public entry to parks and different areas in danger for falling bushes and flooding.

Farther north, snow dusted Bologna and gave skiers within the Dolomites cause to cheer, although freezing temperatures are forecast for a lot of the north and central a part of the peninsula over the approaching days.

Temperatures plummet in Britain

A chilly snap despatched the temperature in northern components of Britain right down to minus 12.5 levels Celsius (9.5 Fahrenheit) in a single day, as snow disrupted rail, highway and air journey and closed lots of of faculties.

Horse races and soccer matches have been referred to as off due to snow and frost, whereas an influence failure attributable to ice closed Glasgow’s subway.

Up to fifteen centimeters (6 inches) of snow was forecast Tuesday for northern Scotland, the place some individuals have already been snowed in by earlier falls. Northeast Scotland lawmaker Andrew Bowie mentioned the state of affairs was “critical,” calling for troopers to be despatched in to clear snow and get meals and medical provides to stranded individuals.

Icy Balkans

Both heavy snow and heavy rain swept by means of Balkan international locations, swelling rivers and creating issues in site visitors and disruptions in energy and water provides. A lady died in Bosnia’s capital Sarajevo on Monday after a snow-covered tree department fell on her head. In neighboring Serbia, some western municipalities launched emergency measures on account of unhealthy climate.

Authorities in Serbia warned drivers to be very cautious as many set off towards snowboarding resorts or elsewhere for Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday and the upcoming weekend. Black ice stopped vehicles and compelled drivers to park on the aspect on their method to Mount Bjelasnica above Sarajevo on Tuesday morning.

Heavy wind and stormy seas battered the Adriatic shoreline in Croatia and Montenegro. Video footage confirmed the ocean sweeping by means of vacation cottages at Ada Bojana in southern Montenegro throughout a storm.

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Associated Press writers throughout Europe contributed to this report.