Europe Hit by Freezing Weather; Flights Canceled, Roads Turn Deadly
AMSTERDAM: Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall gripped parts of Europe on Tuesday, causing widespread travel disruption and claiming at least five lives in France.
In the Netherlands, all domestic rail services were suspended early Tuesday after an IT outage compounded delays. Trains resumed partially after 0900 GMT, but problems persisted around Amsterdam, a major tourist hub. Over 400 flights at Schiphol Airport were canceled, mostly operated by KLM, leaving travelers stranded for days. Spanish passenger Javier Sepulveda described the situation as “chaotic, insane,” after waiting six hours in line for assistance. High-speed Eurostar trains to Paris were also delayed or canceled.
Germany saw temperatures drop well below −10°C in the south and east, with snow spreading across regions close to the North Sea. Meteorologists warn of an approaching storm on Friday, expected to bring heavy snowfall in northern and eastern areas.
In France, a prolonged cold snap and overnight freezing temperatures followed Monday’s snowfall, forcing the closure of six small airports in the west and north. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot urged people to minimize travel and work from home, warning of treacherous road conditions caused by thawed and refrozen snow.
