Intense snowfall and icy weather conditions have wreaked havoc across Europe, causing widespread travel disruptions and claiming six lives in weather-related incidents. As snowstorms continue to batter the continent, both flights and trains are heavily affected, leaving thousands stranded at major airports and transport hubs.
Tragic Weather Deaths in France and Bosnia
In France, five people lost their lives due to treacherous driving conditions on icy roads. Three individuals died in two separate accidents in the Landes region, while two others were killed in motor collisions in the Paris area. One incident involved a taxi driver who lost control of the vehicle due to snow, plunging into the Marne River.
The snowstorm also took a life in Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital, where a tree fell on a woman after being weighed down by 16 inches (40 cm) of snow. Authorities across Europe have issued severe weather warnings as more snow is expected in the coming days.
Major Flight Disruptions at Paris and Amsterdam Airports
Flight cancellations have been widespread, with airports in Paris and Amsterdam reporting hundreds of cancelled departures. At Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, 40% of flights were cancelled on Wednesday morning, while Orly Airport saw 25% of its flights grounded due to heavy snow and runway clearance efforts.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport also faced massive disruptions, with over 400 flights cancelled and many passengers left stranded for hours. The situation worsened as KLM warned that it was running low on de-icing fluid for its aircraft. Travelers expressed frustration, with many unable to get information about flight schedules or rebookings.
Rail Services Affected by Snow and IT Issues
The Netherlands also faced rail disruptions, with Eurostar services between Amsterdam and Paris either cancelled or running late. A brief IT outage caused a temporary halt in train services, further complicating travel plans for commuters and international passengers.
Ongoing Weather Warnings Across Europe
As Storm Goretti approaches the UK, fresh snow and ice warnings are in place across Europe, signaling that the travel chaos is set to continue. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot advised the public to limit road travel and work from home where possible, as 38 districts in France remain on orange alert for snow and black ice. More train cancellations are expected as the snowstorm moves eastward.
The current snow chaos in Europe has caused widespread disruptions, with six deaths, hundreds of flight cancellations, and extensive delays across rail services. As the storm continues, travel plans are expected to remain severely impacted. With additional snow on the way, travelers across the continent should prepare for continued delays and check for updates from airlines and rail services.
