Heavy snow in Germany, Austria causes chaos for travellers

Advertisement

Advertise with us

BERLIN - Heavy snow caused travel chaos in parts of Germany and Austria as authorities closed roads and train routes because of avalanche danger and airports reported weather-related cancellations Saturday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/01/2019 (2512 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BERLIN – Heavy snow caused travel chaos in parts of Germany and Austria as authorities closed roads and train routes because of avalanche danger and airports reported weather-related cancellations Saturday.

Munich Airport, Germany’s second biggest, said 120 flights were cancelled and others were delayed while workers cleared runways of snow and removed ice from planes.

German police said one person died and two people were seriously injured when their car skidded into oncoming traffic on icy roads near the town of Bad Toelz.

Firemen have blocked the main road after heavy snow falls in Filzmoos, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Firemen have blocked the main road after heavy snow falls in Filzmoos, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

In Austria, training and the qualification stage for the annual Four Hills ski jump tournament was cancelled after more than 50 centimetres (20 inches) of fresh snow fell overnight.

Authorities closed roads around Bischofshofen, where the competition is being held. Austrian railway company OeBB said several train connections in the country were suspended due to the avalanche risk.

Salzburg regional authorities warned against off-trail skiing, adding that “many large, several very large avalanches are likely in the afternoon and overnight” that could affect roads and rail lines.

Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported that the small village of St. Johann was evacuated because authorities feared strong winds could trigger a large avalanche. Meanwhile, some 600 residents and tourists were stuck in the village of Soelktal following a road closure, the station reported.

Innsbruck airport said “current weather conditions have caused major restrictions in air traffic” and urged travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Coral singer in traditional costumes walk through the snow in Eglingen, southern Germany, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. (Thomas Warnack/dpa via AP)
Coral singer in traditional costumes walk through the snow in Eglingen, southern Germany, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. (Thomas Warnack/dpa via AP)

Significant snowfall is forecast for southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland in coming days.

Separately, authorities in Greece reported travel disruptions due to snowfall in the north of the country.

Report Error Submit a Tip

World

LOAD MORE