A brutal cold wave has gripped Europe, plunging vast regions into a second day of paralyzing travel chaos and claiming lives. France alone has reported five fatalities directly linked to the frigid conditions, as treacherous ice and snow transform familiar landscapes into hazardous zones.
The southwestern region of France bore the initial brunt, with three separate accidents attributed to black ice on Monday morning. Further north, near Paris, a taxi driver tragically lost control and plunged into the Marne river, succumbing to his injuries in hospital later that night. His passenger remains hospitalized, battling severe hypothermia.
East of Paris, another life was lost in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle, painting a grim picture of the dangers posed by the icy roads. Across the English Channel, Britain shivered through its coldest night of the winter, with temperatures plummeting to -12.5C in Norfolk.
The Netherlands also ground to a halt, experiencing temperatures below -10C that brought rail services to a standstill. Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, a major European hub, cancelled over 400 flights, leaving countless travelers stranded and facing lengthy delays.
While Schiphol struggled, some airports began to recover. Flights resumed from Liverpool and Aberdeen, both forced to close on Monday due to the extreme cold. However, the respite was limited, as forecasters predicted continued snowfall and icy conditions across much of the United Kingdom.
Scotland faced particularly severe disruption, with over 300 schools shuttered and train services severely impacted. Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop urged residents to plan ahead, consider working from home, and avoid unnecessary travel, warning of continued risks to communities.
France also saw smaller airports temporarily close, though the major hubs of Orly and Charles de Gaulle remained operational. Even in Paris itself, the overnight snowfall created treacherous conditions on pavements and cobblestone streets, forcing pedestrians to navigate with extreme caution.
Tour guide Valeria Pitchouguina described the snow-covered Paris as “truly extraordinary,” but acknowledged the challenges it presented. The normally manageable climb to Montmartre, she explained, felt more akin to scaling the formidable Mont Blanc due to the icy steps.
Further east, Hungary braced for another day of heavy snowfall, with roads and railways already becoming impassable, particularly in the northeast. Authorities issued urgent warnings, advising citizens to only venture out when absolutely essential, highlighting the severity of the situation.
