Severe snowfall brings parts of Europe to a grinding halt

Severe snowfall brings parts of Europe to a grinding halt
Copyright REUTERS/Oliver Barth
Copyright REUTERS/Oliver Barth
By Michael-Ross Fiorentino with AP & Reuters
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Extreme snowfall caused chaos in parts of Europe this week, bringing some communities in Germany and Austria to a grinding halt. Here is a look at of some of the areas most affected by this severe winter weather.

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Extreme snowfall caused chaos in parts of Europe this week, bringing some communities in Germany and Austria to a grinding halt.

Up to three metres of snow fell in parts of Austria alone.

Alpine regions remain on high alert as freezing temperatures and more heavy snow is expected to slam Central Europe in the coming days.

Two German skiers were killed by avalanches in the Austrian Alps while several weather-related traffic incidents claimed casualties as well.

The Bulgarian Red Cross found the bodies of two snowboarders - one from the town of Yambol and the other from the capital Sofia - after an avalanche swept through the Pirin Mountains near the Bansko ski resort.

At least 21 weather-related deaths have been reported throughout Europe over the past week, according to the Associated Press.

German and Austrian troops have been deployed throughout Bavaria to assist residents still trapped by the snow.

Here is a look at of some of the areas most affected by this severe winter weather.

Germany

REUTERS/Andreas Gebert
A man walks through piles of snow in the streets of Berchtesgaden, GermanyREUTERS/Andreas Gebert
REUTERS/Andreas Gebert
Soldiers of the German armed forces Bundeswehr leave the Jaeger barracks in BerchtesgadenREUTERS/Andreas Gebert
REUTERS/Oliver Barth
Workers fell a snow covered tree at a local road near AltenbergREUTERS/Oliver Barth
REUTERS/Andreas Gebert
Two regional trains that are covered with snow stand at the train station in BerchtesgadenREUTERS/Andreas Gebert

Switzerland

REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Workers shovel snow out of a restaurant after an avalanche at Santis-Schwaegalp, SwitzerlandREUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
REUTERS
Aerial view shows the snow-covered landscape after an avalanche at Santis-Schwaegalp, SwitzerlandREUTERS
REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
A snow-covered bus stands at Santis-Schwaegalp mountain area after an avalancheREUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Greece

AP/Giannis Papanikos
A panoramic view with the White Tower after snowfall at the northern port city of Thessaloniki, GreeceAP/Giannis Papanikos
AP/Giannis Papanikos
Pigeons fly in front of a man after a snowfall at the northern port city of Thessaloniki, GreeceAP/Giannis Papanikos

Macedonia

REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski
A woman walks in the park during a snow fall in SkopjeREUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski
REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski
A man sits in the park during a snow fall in Skopje, MacedoniaREUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski

Austria

AP/Kerstin Joensson
The steeple of the Loferer church is seen through the snow in Lofer, Austrian province of Salzburg, after a heavy snowfallAP/Kerstin Joensson
REUTERS
Cats are seen in front of a snow-covered house in Abtenau, AustriaREUTERS
AP/Kerstin Joensson
Soldiers from the Austrian Bundesheer clean a roof from snow on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 in Waidring. Austrian province of TyrolAP/Kerstin Joensson
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