Six dead in weather accidents as cold snap grips Europe

Below-freezing winter temperatures have plunged swathes of Europe into a second day of travel chaos, with weather-related accidents leading to five deaths from the cold snap in France alone.

Icy temperatures and heavy snow plunged large parts of Europe into travel chaos and localized emergencies on 6 January 2026. The cold snap has been linked to at least six deaths (five in France, one in Bosnia) and widespread travel disruption: major airports in Paris and Amsterdam cancelled a large share of flights, hundreds of flights were grounded at Schiphol, and Dutch rail services were heavily limited. The UK recorded temperatures down to -12.5°C in Norfolk and extensive snow/ice warnings across the country; more than 300 schools were closed in Scotland and local ministers warned of continued disruption. Dutch carrier KLM reported its de-icing fluid stocks running low (25 de-icing trucks using roughly 85,000 litres/day), sending staff to their supplier amid supply delays. Hungary and parts of the Balkans faced impassable roads, flooding and power outages; an MP urged military assistance in Scotland for communities cut off from food and medical supplies. Forecasts indicate additional snow-bearing storms across western and central Europe in the coming days.