Snow chaos sweeps Germany with life-threatening weather warnings
A powerful winter storm named Eily has hit Germany, causing widespread disruptions across the country. Authorities have issued red-level weather warnings in the northern regions, warning of life-threatening conditions due to heavy snowfall, snowdrifts, and black ice.
The Deutscher Wetterdienst (German Weather Service - DWD) has declared a red alert in 25 areas across Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Bremen. Officials warned of closed roads and severe slippery conditions, urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary outings or travel from Friday morning until Saturday morning.
As a result, schools across Lower Saxony, as well as in Hamburg and Bremen, will remain closed on Friday. In many areas, remote education and emergency care for children have been provided, but authorities have confirmed that the safety of school transport cannot be guaranteed. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of students have been affected by these measures.
Transportation and infrastructure have been severely affected. Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) has reduced long-distance train services in northern Germany, warning of significant delays and cancellations. Ferry services to North Sea islands such as Langeoog, Wangerooge, and Spiekeroog have been suspended, while several airports, including Hamburg Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), have announced delays and cancellations in flights due to snow and ice.
Emergency teams across Germany reported numerous weather-related incidents, including fatal accidents and serious injuries caused by slippery roads and falling ice blocks. The DWD warned that snow thickness could reach 30 centimeters in some areas, with higher accumulations due to strong winds. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation as storm Eileen moves, urging residents to exercise caution and adhere to official safety instructions.