Authorities used everything from ice-breaking explosives to tractors on Tuesday to overcome Europe’s big freeze, as dozens more died of hypothermia and tens of thousands remained cut off by snow. A total of 389 people are now known to have died from the cold weather in Europe since the cold snap began 11 days ago and forecasters are warning there will be no early let-up to some of the lowest temperatures seen in decades. While there was some respite for people living in Ukraine — where more than 130 deaths have been recorded — the mercury plunged overnight to minus 39.4 degrees Celsius (-38.9 Fahrenheit) in the Kvilda region of the Czech Republic.
More bodies were found either on the streets, in their cars or in their homes in Germany, Italy, Poland and across the Balkans. Authorities in Serbia said that 70,000 people were trapped in snow-bound villages in the south as they declared an “emergency situation”. The order, which is one step down from a state of emergency, allows the government to order private companies to help in the snow clean-up with machines and people. Predrag Maric, the head of Serbia’s emergency services, told B92 radio that the most critical situation was now on the Danube and Ibar rivers were a thick ice layer is forming.
“Experts from the army will see if the ice cap (on the Ibar) can be broken with explosives in a way that is safe for people and the environment,” he said, adding that the government is calling in icebreakers to clear the Danube.
Large parts of eastern and southern Bosnia have also been cut off by the snow and avalanches.
