Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

WEATHER

Thousands stuck at Frankfurt airport

As many as 120 flights have already been cancelled at Frankfurt airport on Saturday as blizzard conditions continue throughout Germany. An airport spokesman described the atmosphere as "very tense."

Published: 18 December 2010 11:28 CET

Thousands stuck at Frankfurt airport

Photo: DPA

Thousands of passengers were left frustrated at the airport as one flight after another was cancelled on Saturday. This comes after 560 of 1,400 flights could not take off on Friday.

Around 2,500 passengers unable to fly then were expected to return to the overcrowded airport on Saturday. More cancellations are expected to follow this weekend.

The runways have been cleared, but Frankfurt’s operation has also been affected by the closure of some European airports, for instance Pisa, Italy and Croatia. “Our flight schedule has been completely derailed,” the spokesman for airport operator Fraport said.

The mood in the airport is said to be extremely tense, with some passengers reportedly waiting for several days for their flights. Airport employees dressed up as angels have been sent to tour the terminals to lighten the mood.

DAPD/DPA/bk

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Major storms hit western Germany on Thursday, causing travel disruption and flooding.

In parts of Baden-Württemberg, streets were flooded and rivers swelled. Bisingen, southwest of Tübingen, was particularly hard hit, with cellars and streets plunged under water.

Police said there was also traffic disruption. In Baden-Württemberg’s state capital Stuttgart, severe storms and lightning caused issues and some roads were closed.

A lightning strike in the Sigmaringen area resulted in a broken signal box on the railway line. According to Deutsche Bahn, no train journeys were possible in the region in the early evening with several delays and cancellations.

Other states were also affected.

There were around 300 relief operations in the Ahrweiler district in Rhineland-Palatinate, which was hit by the 2021 deadly flood disaster.

Police said no-on was injured, although basements and streets were flooded. The water levels of the Ahr were being closely monitored.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Silas Stein

In Trier, too, streets were flooded after heavy rain and there were hailstorms. The Koblenz police headquarters reported fallen trees. Significant property damage due to full cellars and flooded streets was also reported in some areas.

Heavy showers also fell in Hesse, accompanied by thunder storms. In Frankfurt, according to the fire department, the heavy rain caused water to enter the Bethanien Hospital and even reach the intensive care unit of the clinic.

“We were able to contain the damage relatively quickly and prevent it from spreading,” said fire department spokesman Thorben Schemmel, adding that no patients were affected.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Eifel region was particularly affected, with reports of flooded streets after heavy rain and hailstorms.

North Rhine-Westphalia also saw storms late in the afternoon on Thursday.

The German Weather Service (DWD) said it expected some heavy rain and hail in parts of the country on Friday – particularly in the west – and at the weekend but warnings of severe weather have been lifted.

The DWD said there could still be one or two strong thunderstorms in the northeast on Friday. However, it will be a significantly quieter day compared to Thursday. Temperatures of up to 25C can be expected.

Url copied to clipboard!