A severe cold snap has gripped Europe, bringing deadly accidents and widespread travel disruption. In France alone, five lives were lost in weather-related incidents. Three people died in southwestern France on Monday morning after vehicles skidded on black ice. In the Paris region, a taxi driver perished after veering into the Marne river, while his passenger was treated for hypothermia. Another driver east of Paris also lost his life in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle.
Meanwhile, approximately 40% of flights will be cancelled on Wednesday morning at two main airports of Paris because of the snow, according to France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.
Across the Channel, Britain experienced its coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures plunging to -12.5°C in Norfolk. Snow and ice alerts covered nearly the entire United Kingdom, prompting schools to close and train services to be severely disrupted, particularly in Scotland. Authorities urged citizens to plan ahead, travel only if necessary, and work from home when possible.
The Netherlands faced similar challenges. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport cancelled over 400 flights due to heavy snow and limited de-icing chemicals. Dutch trains and buses remained suspended until mid-morning, leaving travellers stranded. Traffic jams were slightly reduced as many heeded official calls to avoid unnecessary travel. Universities in Rotterdam and Utrecht postponed exams and switched to online classes, while further snowfall is expected.
