France faces snow and ice storms, five dead on roads
France is grappling with severe winter weather, as heavy snow and icy conditions have claimed at least five lives and disrupted transportation across the country. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot acknowledged that the scale of the event had been "somewhat underestimated" by meteorological services.
Three fatalities occurred in two ice-related accidents in the Landes region, while a VTC driver died after slipping in the Marne department in Île-de-France. These incidents followed Monday’s fatal collision involving a van and a truck in Seine-et-Marne.
Météo-France had placed 26 western departments under orange alert for snow and ice, although the alert was lifted by 10:00 a.m. Temperatures remained extremely low, ranging between -3°C and -8°C, with some areas dropping below -10°C, creating hazardous icy conditions.
The snowstorm caused significant disruptions to road and rail networks. Bus services were interrupted in many western cities, including Rennes, while schools canceled transport in several regions, particularly in Brittany, where such conditions are rare. On major roads like the A83 in Vendée, accidents and highway closures added to the chaos.
Authorities emphasized precautions such as sanding roads in advance to prevent accidents and keep commuters safe. SNCF reported delays and speed restrictions on high-speed lines, especially in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays de la Loire. In Paris, bus lines gradually resumed operations after Monday’s suspension.
Officials warn that another snow and freezing rain system is expected to affect northern France on Wednesday, potentially triggering a new weather alert.
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