Snowstorms in Europe: 6 dead and widespread flight cancellations
Europe is experiencing a severe winter storm, with heavy snowstorms and ice waves causing significant loss of life and property. These extreme conditions have resulted in at least six deaths and brought air, road, and rail transport networks in several countries to a near standstill, with official warnings that the situation is likely to worsen.
Climate context and recurring challenges
This wave comes amid a period of turbulent weather across Europe, where infrastructure in several countries is under immense strain due to the sharp drop in temperatures. Meteorologists indicate that the convergence of polar low-pressure systems with high humidity has led to unprecedented snowfall in areas unaccustomed to such intensity for decades, as seen in the French city of La Rochelle, which recorded a 30-centimeter snowfall – a phenomenon not witnessed in 40 years. This event underscores the urgent need to enhance preparedness for the increasingly frequent and severe effects of extreme weather events in Europe.
France in the eye of the storm: accidents and cancellations
In France, the impact was tragic and tangible, with ice causing the deaths of five people in separate incidents. The southwest saw horrific accidents, including a collision between two buses and several other vehicles, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. A truck driver was also killed when he was struck by a vehicle while attempting to assist another vehicle, and a car plunged into the Marne River, killing its driver.
Regarding air transport, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarrou announced emergency measures that included cancelling 40% of flights at Charles de Gaulle Airport and 25% at Orly Airport, in order to facilitate the de-icing of runways and aircraft, in a move that reflects the scale of the logistical crisis facing European airports.
The Balkans: Between snow and record floods
The Balkans were not immune to these disturbances; in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, heavy snowfall caused the death of a woman when a tree fell on her. Ironically, the region was not only plagued by snow but also faced severe flooding in the south, where the Buna River reached a record high of 218 centimeters, the highest level since historical records began in 1923, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency in areas such as Zvornik.
Regional repercussions and paralysis in Northern Europe
The effects of the storm extended to Britain, the Netherlands, and Hungary. In the UK, temperatures plummeted to -12.5 degrees Celsius, leading to the closure of hundreds of schools in Scotland. In the Netherlands, Schiphol Airport faced a major crisis with the cancellation of nearly 600 flights amid fears of a shortage of de-icing materials. These widespread disruptions highlight the vulnerability of supply and transport chains to natural disasters, potentially resulting in significant economic losses for airlines and road freight companies, not to mention the disruption to the travel plans of thousands of passengers stranded at airports and train stations.
