Tanks to the rescue as Europe blitzed by snow
TANKS are being used to rescue homeowners from neck-deep snow in Germany and Austria as Europe continues to be blanketed in a whiteout that hits only once every 30 years.
In Switzerland, a 300metre-wide avalanche ploughed through the front of a hotel while diners were eating.
They all survived, but there have been up to 20 deaths across Europe after the worst snowfalls in living memory.
Roads have been blocked, train services halted and schools shut. The snow is up to three metres deep in parts of Austria, where seven people have died in the past week and two hikers have been missing since Saturday. The Austrian military used helicopters to blow snow off treetops to reduce the risk of trees falling on roads and train tracks. Sweden and Norway have been hit by similar problems, while three diners were injured when an avalanche came down the Schwägalp Pass in the Swiss Alps and crashed into the Hotel Santis.
The blanket of snow is expected to remain into the middle of next week throughout central and northern Europe.
In Britain, forecasters have warned of heavy frosts and snow after the recurrence of a phenomenon which preceded the Beast from the East in March. The event, caused by changes in jet streams, usually takes a fortnight to be felt at ground level.
It often leads to a strong area of high pressure, bringing bitter northerly or easterly winds. This creates potential for snow if an area of low pressure arrives from the west, hitting the cold air. UK met office forecaster Sarah Kent said: ‘We’re not yet sure whether the winds are going to come from the Arctic or Siberia but it could become very cold.’