Global General

Heavy snow strands Christmas travellers in Europe

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-12-25 14:14

Cars are seen stuck along a snow covered country road near Arras, after heavy snow fell in Northern France December 24, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]

More Warnings

Friday's disruptions follow travel chaos earlier in the week, when tens of thousands were stranded across Europe as delays and cancellations of flights and high-speed trains were compounded by road travel restrictions.

Authorities throughout Europe warned of further disruptions in the next few days.

Heavy rain in northern Italy caused problems in some cities including Venice, where shoppers and tourists were forced to wade through knee high water in Saint Mark's square.

In Vicenza, to the west of Venice, there were fears that the Bacchiglione river could burst its banks and some residents were evacuated from their homes.

Britain's main air travel hubs had some cancellations and delays on Friday but London's Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport, said both of its runways were open.

Most main roads in England remained clear, but the Highways Agency warned motorists about the danger of icy roads as Britain headed for its coldest December in decades. Parts of Scotland and possibly northeast England were forecast to have a white Christmas.

A man pulls his child on a sledge through downtown Bonn December 24, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]