A severe winter storm system has plunged European transportation into chaos, resulting in six weather-related fatalities and massive travel disruptions across the continent. The unprecedented snowfall and freezing conditions have created hazardous circumstances from Western Europe to the Balkans, with authorities struggling to manage the crisis.
In France, treacherous driving conditions claimed five lives through separate incidents. Three fatalities occurred in the southwestern Landes region due to black ice, while two additional motor accidents proved fatal in the Paris area. One victim died when their vehicle collided with a heavy goods vehicle in eastern Paris, and another perished when a taxi skidded on snow and plunged into the Marne River.
The Balkans experienced equally severe conditions, with Sarajevo receiving 16 inches (40 cm) of snowfall. Bosnian authorities confirmed one woman died after a snow-laden tree collapsed onto her in the capital city.
Air travel has been severely impacted, particularly at major European hubs. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport cancelled over 400 flights on Wednesday, with an additional 600 cancellations anticipated. Hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded, unable to make connecting flights amid chaotic scenes and extensive queues at airline counters.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, responsible for many cancelled flights, reported critically low de-icing fluid supplies, attributing the shortage to extreme weather conditions and delivery delays. Travelers expressed frustration at the inadequate communication and extended waiting times, with one Spanish passenger describing the situation as “chaotic and totally unacceptable” after waiting six hours in line.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned of additional snowfall expected Tuesday night and Wednesday, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home. France’s national weather service placed 38 districts on orange alert for snow and black ice, while Paris airports announced significant flight reductions—40% at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and 25% at Orly—to facilitate runway clearing operations.
Rail services across Europe also faced substantial disruptions. The Netherlands experienced a complete temporary halt of all train services Tuesday morning due to an IT outage, with continued operational challenges throughout the day. Eurostar services between Amsterdam and Paris suffered cancellations and significant delays, compounding the continental transportation crisis.