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Several killed as heavy snowfall hits Europe

The risk of avalanches is still high in the northern Alps after several deaths across the weekend because of heavy snow.

Tuesday 8 January 2019 15:37, UK

An overturned lorry in the snow on a B road in Muensingen in southern Germany
Image: An overturned lorry in the snow on a B road in Muensingen in southern Germany
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Heavy snowfall has killed several people across Austria and Germany - with officials warning that further wintry weather is going to increase the already high risk of avalanches.

The bodies of a 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who went missing while snowshoeing near Salzburg have been discovered, while 40 rescuers with dogs are continuing to search for two others who are missing in lower Austria.

A sign is near buried in snowfall in Aitrang, southern Germany
Image: A sign is near buried in snow in Aitrang
A train travels through the snow in Aitrang, southern Germany
Image: A train travels through the snow in southern Germany

Police in Germany say a 44-year-old man was killed in Wackersberg after being hit by tree branches brought down by heavy snow, and a woman in Bavaria also died in a weather-related incident.

Hundreds of people are currently snowed into their homes in Austria. Meanwhile, in Hamburg, people are preparing for a storm flood caused by a winter gale.

Skiers make their way through the streets after heavy snowfall in Filzmoos
Image: Skiers make their way through the streets after heavy snowfall in Filzmoos
Cars have been left covered by a thick blanket of snow
Image: Cars have been left covered by a thick blanket of snow

Lindsey Vonn's return to the Alpine Ski World Cup has been cancelled on Thursday after heavy snowfall in St Anton. She will now take part in downhill training on Friday.

In the Netherlands, Amsterdam's Schipol airport has warned of delays and cancellations, with KLM already cancelling 159 flights to and from European destinations.

A skier walks past a bus stop after heavy snowfall in the small village of Filzmoos, Austria
Image: A skier walks past a bus stop after heavy snowfall in the small Austrian village of Filzmoos

A woman who was buried by an avalanche last week in Switzerland died of her injuries on Saturday, and three skiers have also lost their lives to avalanches in Austria.

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The entire Hochkar skiing region in lower Austria was closed on Monday because of the risk of avalanches, with people asked to leave by the end of the day.

Austrian authorities have warned skiers not to go off the slopes and not to drive their cars unless necessary.

A house is buried under snow at the mountain resort in Szczyrk, Poland
Image: A house is buried under snow at the mountain resort in Szczyrk, Poland

Snow has been forecast for the coming days across the region, and the alpine country will have mountaineer teams and helicopters ready for any possible rescue missions.

German officials have closed several roads and train lines across Bavaria as a result of heavy snowfall - and schools across the region have also been closed because of the weather.

A lift is covered by snow at the mountain resort in Szczyrk, Poland
Image: Lifts have been left blanketed by snow at a Polish mountain resort

In Norway, police said four people, a 29-year-old Swedish woman and three Finns aged 29, 32, and 36, are presumed dead after a 300m wide (990ft) avalanche was reported in the Tamok valley on Wednesday.

The heavy snowfall hampered rescue efforts in the region.