Europe has been hit by severe winter weather, leaving at least six people dead and causing major disruption to air and rail travel across several countries. Heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and icy roads have created dangerous conditions, with authorities warning that the situation may continue into midweek.
Emergency services across the continent reported multiple weather-related incidents as snowstorms and black ice affected large areas, particularly in western and central Europe.
Fatal Accidents Reported in France and the Balkans
Five of the deaths were recorded in France, where treacherous road conditions led to several serious accidents. Local authorities said three people lost their lives in two separate incidents in the Landes region in the southwest after vehicles skidded on black ice.
Two more fatalities were reported in the Paris area. In one case, a collision involving a car and a heavy goods vehicle proved fatal in eastern Paris. In another incident, a taxi reportedly lost control on a snow-covered road, struck a kerb and plunged into the Marne River.
In the Balkans, a woman was killed in Sarajevo after a tree collapsed under the weight of heavy, wet snow. Police said the city had received up to 40 centimetres of snowfall, putting pressure on infrastructure and vegetation.
Air Travel Severely Disrupted Across Europe
Airports across Europe faced widespread disruption, with hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of passengers stranded. Major hubs in France and the Netherlands were among the worst affected.
At Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, authorities announced that up to 40% of flights would be cancelled for several hours on Wednesday morning to allow crews to clear snow from runways. Paris Orly Airport also planned to cancel around a quarter of its scheduled flights during the same period.
In the Netherlands, more than 400 flights were cancelled at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, with hundreds of additional cancellations expected. Thousands of travellers were left waiting inside terminals as long queues formed at airline service desks.
Dutch airline KLM confirmed that many of the cancelled flights were operated by the carrier, citing extreme weather and delays in the supply of de-icing fluid. The airline warned that ongoing snowfall and freezing conditions were making it difficult to resume normal operations.
Passengers Describe Chaotic Conditions
Travellers at Schiphol described scenes of confusion and frustration. Many said they had received limited information about rebookings or departure times, while queues stretched for hours.
One passenger attempting to travel onward to Norway said the situation at the airport was chaotic and exhausting, explaining that he had been waiting most of the day without clear guidance on when he would be able to fly.
Airport officials said snow-clearing teams were working around the clock to keep runways operational and ensure aircraft were properly de-iced before departure, stressing that safety remained the top priority.
Rail Services Also Affected
The winter storm also disrupted rail travel. In the Netherlands, all train services were briefly halted on Tuesday morning following an IT outage that compounded weather-related delays. While some services resumed later in the day, disruptions continued, including delays and cancellations on international routes.
Several Eurostar services between Amsterdam and Paris were either cancelled or significantly delayed, adding to travel difficulties for passengers moving across borders.
Weather Warnings and Ongoing Risks
French authorities warned that more snowfall was expected overnight and into Wednesday. The country’s weather service placed dozens of districts on high alert for snow and black ice, advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home where possible.
Officials across Europe urged people to exercise caution, particularly on roads, and to stay updated with local weather and travel advisories as conditions remain unstable.