Severe snowfall and icy conditions have triggered widespread disruption across Europe, leaving at least six people dead and causing hundreds of flight cancellations as transport networks struggle to cope.
Five people were killed in France in separate weather-related road accidents, authorities confirmed. Another fatality was reported in Bosnia’s capital, Sarajevo, where heavy snowfall brought parts of the city to a standstill.
Air travel was among the worst affected, with thousands of passengers stranded at major European airports, including Paris and Amsterdam. Officials warned that disruptions were likely to continue into Wednesday as snow and freezing temperatures persist.
In south-western France, three people died in two separate crashes in the Landes region after vehicles lost control on black ice. Two more deaths were reported in the Paris region. One person was killed in a collision involving a heavy goods vehicle in east Paris, while another died after a taxi skidded on snow, struck a kerb and plunged into the Marne River.
The Balkans were also hit hard by extreme weather. In Sarajevo, a woman died after a tree collapsed under the weight of heavy, wet snow following snowfall of up to 40cm, police said.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned that further snowfall was expected overnight and into Wednesday, urging residents to limit road travel and work from home where possible. The national weather service placed 38 districts on orange alert for snow and ice, while numerous rail services were suspended.
Airports in Paris announced major reductions in flights. Charles de Gaulle airport cancelled around 40% of scheduled departures for several hours on Wednesday morning to allow runway clearance, while Orly airport planned to cancel roughly a quarter of its flights during the same period.
In the Netherlands, Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport cancelled more than 400 flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Dutch airline KLM said it was facing severe operational challenges, citing extreme weather conditions and shortages of aircraft de-icing fluid.
Long queues formed at airline service desks as travellers waited for updates. Many complained of poor communication and uncertainty over rebooking options.
Rail services were also affected across the Netherlands. An early-morning IT outage briefly halted all train traffic on Tuesday, and although some services resumed later in the day, delays and cancellations continued. International rail routes, including services to Paris, were either cancelled or ran behind schedule.
Authorities across Europe warned travellers to expect further delays as snow-clearing operations continue and conditions remain hazardous.