Friday, January 19, 2007

Northern Europe swept by storms

A violent storm lashing northern Europe has hit the Netherlands and Germany after passing over Britain and France.

At least 28 people have been killed, as the high winds have sent debris flying and brought down trees and power lines.

Ten people were killed in Britain as rain and gusts of wind up to 99mph (159km/h) swept much of the country.

In Germany, hurricane-force winds claimed at least seven lives. Other deaths were reported in France, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

The severe weather has thrown transport systems into chaos, with hundreds of flight, rail and ferry cancellations and roads and schools ordered closed.

Passengers stranded

Meteorologists at London's Meteorological Office said the winds reached "severe gale force" as they crossed Britain and were the highest recorded since January 1990.

As the storm moved east over the continent, people in the Netherlands and Germany were warned to stay indoors.

Meteorologists in Germany said the storm was the worst in five years, with winds gusting up to 190km/h (118mph).

The national rail company suspended all its services, leaving passengers stranded at stations.

Air traffic too has been badly affected with many flights cancelled.

Berlin's new central station was evacuated after the winds tore off a section of steel support.

Tens of thousands of emergency workers are on standby to deal with the widespread damage that is anticipated.

Two people in Germany were killed by doors blown off their hinges and in Riel, the Netherlands, an 11-year-old boy was killed when he was blown into a car, AFP reported.

Most of the other fatalities across Europe have been from traffic accidents and flying debris.

Tens of thousands of homes are without power.

The winds are only expected to weaken once they reach Russia and Ukraine.

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