Bad weather and low temperatures grip Europe and the Balkans / Six people lose their lives

2026-01-06 18:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Bad weather and low temperatures grip Europe and the Balkans / Six people lose

Six people have died in severe weather that has swept across central and southern Europe, as snow, ice and freezing temperatures continue to wreak havoc.

Authorities in the Landes region of southwestern France said three people had died, 15 were injured in road accidents, and two others were also killed in accidents.

Paris woke up today to a layer of snow on rooftops and monuments, while heavy snowfall led to the closure of six airports in northern and western France.

In the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, a woman died yesterday when a snow-covered tree branch fell on her head.

In the Netherlands, hundreds of flights were canceled at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport as crews worked to clear runways and de-ice planes.

Train passengers in the country faced chaos after domestic services were suspended early Tuesday due to an IT outage, exacerbating disruptions caused by the weather.

Temperatures fell below -10°C (14°F) in southern and eastern Germany on Tuesday morning. German meteorologists have forecast a storm in the country on Friday, with heavy snowfall expected in the north and east.

In Britain, temperatures fell to -12.5°C overnight, with snow causing chaos on rail, road and air transport and forcing the closure of hundreds of schools in northern regions.

Temperatures in the lowlands of northern Italy also fell below zero degrees, while snowfall is expected in the medium and low altitude regions of Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Tuscany on Tuesday.

Central and southern Italy is bracing for light winds that are bringing torrential rain. Incessant rain in Rome has swollen the banks of the Tiber River. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri issued a decree on Tuesday restricting public access to parks and other areas at risk from falling trees and flooding.

Problems in the Balkans too

Heavy snowfall and torrential rain have also hit the Balkans, causing rivers to overflow and traffic jams, as well as power and water supply problems.

In Serbia, some local authorities in the west of the country have introduced emergency measures due to the bad weather, warning drivers to be careful as many head to ski resorts or elsewhere for Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday and next weekend.

Strong winds and stormy seas are hitting the Adriatic coasts of Croatia and Montenegro. /CNA