Traffic accidents are rapidly increasing due to frozen, icy roads… Many trees fell under the weight of the snow.
As winter began much earlier than expected in northern Europe, driving on roads became extremely dangerous due to heavy snow and frozen roads. German media reported on the 28th that at least two people died and children were trapped in schools overnight because they could not return home.
The Scandinavia region had to experience unusually cold temperatures in November. Widespread sub-zero temperatures were recorded in almost all parts of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that temperatures in several areas along Norway’s western coast hit record lows for November on the 27th.
In the western German state of Hesse, significant damage occurred due to snow and icy roads, and power supply was cut off in some areas as trees fell, dpa news agency reported. Injuries from traffic accidents continued to occur throughout Hessen, and trees collapsed as they could not withstand the weight of the snow. In the Rheingau-Taunus region, drivers were trapped in their cars and in Eltville, about 100 people were rescued after trees fell.
In Wiesbaden, many roads were completely closed. Because school buses were unable to operate, students and staff at many schools were unable to return home and had to spend the night at school. Firefighters prepared temporary accommodation for 55 stranded people, including 27 children.
The early winter cold wave caused havoc not only in Hesse but also throughout Germany. Traffic accidents have increased rapidly around Berlin and Brandenburg. In Saxony-Anhalt, a school bus carrying 16 children skidded and fell into a ditch on the morning of the 28th (local time), injuring one child.
dpa reported that a 71-year-old man died on the evening of the 27th in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, and a 54-year-old woman died in an accident on a slippery road in Rhineland-Palatinate.
[베를린=AP/뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.