Snow piles up in Europe

Press, 3 February 1986, Page 1

Snow piles up in Europe

NZPA-Reuter Paris Driving snow, heavy rain, and high winds lashed Europe during the week-end, leaving nearly 20 people dead and many missing or injured.

The winter storms in France, Italy, Austria, and Spain caused widespread transport disruption and power cuts. Some communities were isolated by up to 1.5 m of snow which fell overnight on Friday.

Authorities declared a state of emergency in four departments of

south-eastern France after snowstorms brought down power and telephone lines, leaving thousands of homes without light or heat. Nine people were reported dead. In Austria, an avalanche crashed down on the outskirts of the winter resort of Obergurgl, killing one person and engulfing a tourist hotel where 10 people were dug out.

In the French Pyrenees, where officials say it will take up to 10 days to

restore power, roads linking France and Spain were blocked by snowdrifts. A man who left his car to find shelter was found frozen to death with his 20-month-old child.

Residents of Venice are mopping up after torrential rains caused the water to rise to 1.6 m above sea-level, the third highest level in the lagoon this century. Shops and houses were flooded and business left at a standstill.