Heavy snow brings chaos to Europe

Heavy snowfall has ground many parts of Europe to a halt

About 500 motorists were stranded for two days in southern Italy as heavy snow brought chaos to parts of Europe.

Italian radio said people were forced to spend the night in reception centres and schools after getting stuck on the A3 between Salerno and Reggio Calabria.

The army was drafted in to rescue the snowbound motorists, but not before local authorities were criticised for failing to act quickly enough.

Truck drivers without tyre chains have been blamed for the log jam.

"We spent 48 hours on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway without anyone, and I mean anyone, offering us the slightest help," Luigi Ruggiero, Deputy Mayor of the small town of Ciro Marina, was quoted by AFP news agency as saying.

"We spent two nights in the cold, in the car, eating what we had with us - and drinking snow."

"I've travelled all around Europe but I've never seen anything like this," French lorry driver Filippo Martelli was quoted by the Corriere della Sera newspaper as saying.

Avalanche threat

Drivers were brought to a halt by heavy snow on Wednesday morning.

Despite efforts by some 200 soldiers to clear the 160km (100-mile) stretch of road on Thursday, many were forced to spend a second night in their freezing vehicles.

Others were forced to abandon their cars in search of shelter. Around 11 people were taken to hospital suffering from exposure.

Transport Minister Pietro Lundardi said an investigation would be carried out into the chaos.

Meanwhile, heavy snowfall is causing chaos elsewhere in Europe.

Neighbouring Spain was also experiencing traffic problems with its worst cold snap in 20 years.

Switzerland has warned of an increased risk of avalanches as temperatures drop to minus 20C.

And in Russia, three planes carrying part of President Vladimir Putin's entourage back from the Auschwitz commemorations in Poland had to be diverted to another Moscow airport because of the snow.