In France, authorities confirmed that five people died in road accidents caused by dangerously icy roads and 'black ice,' especially in the southwest and around Paris. In some cases, vehicles lost control on frozen surfaces, leading to fatal collisions. Elsewhere, a woman in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, died after a snow‑laden tree branch collapsed under the weight of heavy snowfall.
The impact of the cold snap has gone far beyond loss of life. Flight operations across Europe have been severely disrupted, with hundreds of cancellations at major hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, and Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Airlines continue to struggle with icy runways and snow‑clearing operations, prompting travel chaos for thousands of passengers who faced delays or overnight stays at terminals.
Road and rail travel have also been heavily affected. Trains were delayed or halted in parts of the Netherlands and other countries as rail networks grappled with frozen tracks and weather‑related technical issues. Local authorities have urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel, highlighting the significant hazard posed by ice and snow.
Across the continent, temperatures have plunged well below seasonal averages. In the United Kingdom, the mercury dipped to around ‑12.5 °C in some regions, leading to school closures and disruption of public services. Meteorologists warn that more snowfall and icy conditions are expected in the coming days, prolonging the winter weather disruptions.
"Last night was the coldest night of the winter so far," Britain's Met Office said.
Officials are also concerned about vulnerable populations, especially people living without stable shelter, who face increased risk during the prolonged cold spell. Emergency measures and shelters have been activated in several cities to protect those exposed to the elements.
Rania Umutoni
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/flights-grounded-six-dead-as-cold-snap-sweeps-across-europe
