Europe’s big chill knocks out power to thousands

Thousands of homes are without power and air and road traffic has been disrupted across Europe because of blizzards.The big chill that has hit the region has been felt in many countries.

In Germany, authorities say a quarter of a million people were left without power in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia.Emergency workers have been delivering blankets, but in one town close to the Dutch border residents were forced to seek warmth in a local gymnaseum. France has declared a level two state of alert under an action plan to protect the homeless. This after two people living on the street died in the intense cold.Elsewhere, many flights have been cancelled in numerous centres.And parts of northern Spain have also been under snow, closing several mountain passes.

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