Snowstorm Wreaks Havoc in Europe: Six Dead, Flights Cancelled

Intense snowfall and icy conditions have led to severe disruptions in travel across Europe, resulting in six fatalities linked to the extreme weather. The incidents highlight the dangers posed by treacherous driving conditions and heavy snowfall in several regions.

Snowstorm Casualties and Impact

Most of the deaths occurred in France, where five individuals lost their lives due to dangerous driving conditions. This included three fatalities in the Landes region, attributed to black ice. Two additional deaths were reported in the Paris area, including one involving a driver colliding with a heavy goods vehicle and another in which a taxi plunged into the Marne river after hitting a curb.

In Bosnia, a woman was killed when a tree, heavily burdened with wet snow, fell on her in Sarajevo. This incident followed a significant snowfall of 16 inches (40 centimeters) in the city.

Travel Disruptions Across Airports

The snowstorm has caused extensive flight cancellations, with hundreds of flights grounded throughout Europe, particularly affecting Paris and Amsterdam. Disruptions are anticipated to extend into Wednesday.

• Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport: 40% of flights cancelled Wednesday morning.
• Orly Airport (Paris): 25% of flights cancelled during the same period.
• Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport: Over 400 flights cancelled, with an additional 600 flights scheduled for Wednesday also grounded.

Hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded at airports, facing long waits for information and assistance. Many were unable to catch connecting flights. As a result, long lines formed at airline counters, particularly at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

Airline Responses and Passenger Reactions

KLM, the Dutch airline, encountered operational challenges due to a shortage of de-icing fluid for its aircraft, which it attributed to the extreme weather and supply chain issues. Travelers described the situation at Schiphol as chaotic, expressing frustration over the lack of timely information.

One passenger, Javier Sepulveda, reported waiting for six hours at the KLM help desk, highlighting the unacceptable conditions at the airport amid the unfolding situation.

Weather Forecast and Alerts

Weather forecasts indicate that more snowfall is expected in France over the coming days. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and, where possible, to work from home. France’s national weather service has placed 38 districts on orange alert for snow and black ice starting Wednesday.

Rail services have also been significantly disrupted, with all train journeys in the Netherlands temporarily halted due to an IT outage. While some services resumed later in the day, Eurostar routes to Paris faced delays and cancellations.

As Europe copes with the impact of this snowstorm, travel plans remain uncertain, and passengers are urged to stay informed about flight statuses and safety measures.