Death Toll Rises to over 400 in Europe during Extreme Winter Weather
More than 400 people have now died in the last eleven days from hypothermia after an ongoing cold snap has encased Europe. Tens of thousands of people are isolated because of the large quantities of snow that have made travel impossible. People have been found dead in their homes, in their cars, or on the streets in the Balkins, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Greece, and Germany.
The temperature fell to -39.4°C (-38.9°F) in the Czech Republic last night in the region of Kvilda. Serbian authorities reported that some 70,000 people are trapped in villages and the country has declared a state of emergency. Explosive experts have been called in to try to keep the Ibar River from becoming completely blocked. The explosive crews will use dynamite to try to break up some of the ice. Icebreaking ships have been called in to try to keep the Danube River clear. The Danube can be navigated at the moment, but it is very difficult.
The southern region of Croatia has several hundred villages that are in need of medicine and food. Rescue workers, including firefighters and soldiers, are trying to get the most basic of supplies to the villages. The snow is up to 1.5 meters (4 ½ feet) high in areas. Snowplows have not been able to reach the villages and one resident told the Slobdona Dalmacija newspaper that he walked 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) to pick up bread and other basic items.
Parts of Bosnia have been cut off from help by avalanches. The hamlet of Zijemlje has not had contact with anyone since Friday. The mayor of Mostar, Radovan Palavestra, said that there is no electricity in Zijemlje, as well as no operational phone lines or running water. There are several elderly people in the hamlet and a two month old baby. A helicopter was supposed to go to Zijemlje on Tuesday, but heavy snow kept the aircraft grounded.
Officials are worried that once the snow and ice begin to melt, there will be substantial flooding throughout the hardest hit areas. According to the United Nations weather service, though, the current blast of cold air and wintery precipitation is expected to continue for the next couple of weeks.
