Europe was hit by a severe cold snap on Tuesday, causing travel chaos and weather-related accidents that killed six people. Five cases were reported in France, while a woman in Bosnia died after a tree suddenly fell after heavy snow.
Many flights were canceled at Paris airports—Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly—to clear snow from runways and de-ice planes. In the Netherlands, trains were halted as temperatures dropped to -10°C, while in Britain temperatures reached -12.5°C in Norfolk, posing a danger to motorists and pedestrians.
Three people died in France due to black ice while a taxi driver drowned after going off track in the Marne River in Paris. Another driver died after colliding with a heavy goods vehicle. In Bosnia, a woman died after being hit by a tree in Sarajevo, caused by heavy snow.
More than 300 schools in Scotland have been closed, while train services have also been affected. In Albania, several homes had to be evacuated due to flooding. The Scottish transport minister has warned the public to plan ahead and if possible work from home for safety.
Minors and senior citizens were advised not to go out unless absolutely necessary. In France, walking on icy pavements in Paris was difficult, and some tour guides said they felt like climbing Mont Blanc due to the difficulty of the snow and ice. In Hungary, many roads and railways were impassable and the public was advised to travel only if absolutely necessary.
