Deaths reported as freezing conditions sweep across Europe

- Advertisement -

At least eight people have died as freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall sweeps across Europe from the east.

Poland’s police said five people died as a result of temperatures which dropped as low as minus 22C – bringing the number of deaths from hypothermia in the country to 58 this winter.

Authorities in some cities and towns, especially in the east where temperatures are lowest, will be placing coal heaters in the streets to help people keep warm.

Meanwhile, three deaths were reported in Romania as blizzards battered the country, leaving scores of roads blocked by snowdrifts.

Stove. north-eastern Germany,  saw very low temperatures (AP)
Stove. north-eastern Germany, saw very low temperatures (AP)

Bucharest mayor Gabriela Firea said schools would remain closed in the capital until the end of the week.

Germany also suffered one of the coldest nights of the year, with the mercury dropping below minus 10C in large parts of the country.

The German meteorological office said it recorded a temperature of minus 30.4C on the country’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, overnight.

The German chancellery said the weather has forced the cancellation of a display of military honours planned for Wednesday in Berlin for the arrival of Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Ice skaters on the frozen Lake of Moritzburg Castle, eastern Germany (AP)
Ice skaters on the frozen Lake of Moritzburg Castle, eastern Germany (AP)

Freezing temperatures gripping much of Europe are also hitting the Dutch capital, where people were last able to skate on the canals in 2012.

As well as banning boats, the local water authority said it is closing sluices and locks to help ice growth by slowing the movement of water.

Ducks take off from a pound on a cold winter’s day near the village of Druzhnyi, southeast of Minsk, Belarus (AP)
Ducks take off from a pound on a cold winter’s day near the village of Druzhnyi, southeast of Minsk, Belarus (AP)

In France, some migrants in the capital have been exposed to the Siberian cold front with little more than tents and sleeping bags.

In the makeshift camp set up along the banks of a canal that runs through north-east Paris, a group of largely Afghan migrants lit a small fire on to warm up their hands after a sleepless night which saw temperatures drop below minus 5C.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Latest Stories

- Advertisement -

UK News

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Read the latest free supplements

Read the Town Crier, Le Rocher and a whole host of other subjects like mortgage advice, business, cycling, travel and property.