A severe cold snap sweeping across large parts of Europe has claimed at least five lives and triggered widespread travel disruptions, as sub-zero temperatures and icy conditions continued for a second consecutive day.
In France, authorities reported that five people died in weather-related accidents linked to the freezing conditions. Three of the deaths occurred in southwestern France on Monday morning after vehicles skidded on black ice. In the Paris region, a taxi driver died later the same night after his vehicle veered into the Marne River. His passenger was hospitalised and was still receiving treatment for hypothermia, according to police sources. Another driver also lost his life east of Paris following a collision with a heavy goods vehicle.
The extreme cold extended across the English Channel, with Britain recording its coldest night of the winter so far. Temperatures dropped to as low as -12.5 degrees Celsius in Norfolk, eastern England, while much of the United Kingdom remained on alert for snow and ice. The Met Office warned that further snowfall was expected, raising the risk of continued disruption.
In the Netherlands, temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius brought rail transport to a halt on Tuesday morning. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, the country’s main international hub, faced a second day of weather-related cancellations, with more than 400 flights grounded and long queues forming at airline service counters. Train services operated by the national railway company, NS, only resumed after mid-morning, and even then on a limited schedule.
Some relief was reported in parts of the United Kingdom, where flights resumed at Liverpool Airport in northwest England and Aberdeen Airport in northeast Scotland after both facilities were forced to close on Monday due to the cold.
Scotland remained among the worst affected areas. More than 300 schools were closed on Tuesday, while rail services continued to face major disruptions. Scottish Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop warned that northern parts of the country were likely to experience more severe snow and ice, urging residents to plan carefully, avoid unnecessary travel, and work from home where possible.
In France, several smaller regional airports were closed, according to the transport ministry, though the main Paris airports—Charles de Gaulle and Orly—remained operational with no reported flight cancellations. In the capital, snowfall from Monday night settled on pavements and cobblestone streets, making walking hazardous for pedestrians.
Tour guide Valeria Pitchouguina described the snow-covered city as visually stunning but difficult to navigate, particularly in the hilly Montmartre district. “When it’s snowy and icy, it’s less like climbing Montmartre and more like climbing Mont Blanc,” she said.
Elsewhere in central Europe, Hungary braced for a second day of snowfall, with some roads and rail lines already impassable, particularly in the northeast. Construction and Transport Minister János Lázár urged citizens to limit travel to essential journeys only.
Meteorological authorities across the region warned that the cold spell could persist, urging caution as Europe continues to grapple with the human and economic toll of the harsh winter conditions.
