Severe weather disruptions are paralyzing parts of Western Europe. Following a scandalous incident at Munich Airport, where 600 passengers spent the night trapped on planes, German police have launched an investigation to clarify the causes of the logistical paralysis. Simultaneously, the situation in the Alps remains critical; an avalanche in the French department of Haute-Savoie has killed two female skiers, raising this season's death toll from snow-related incidents to thirty people.
Police Investigation in Munich
German police are preparing a report following the scandalous overnight stranding of 600 passengers in planes on the airport tarmac.
Tragedy in the French Alps
Two female skiers were killed by an avalanche in Haute-Savoie, raising the total number of fatalities this season to 30 people.
High Danger in Austria
Experts warn that a high level of avalanche danger persists in Austria outside designated slopes.
Flood Alerts in Bavaria
The Isar River level has exceeded the first warning stage; services are monitoring the hydrological situation along the river basin.
The operational situation at Munich Airport has become the subject of an official police report after nearly 600 people were forced to spend the night aboard six aircraft parked on the tarmac. Passengers complained of extreme exhaustion and a lack of access to food and basic care, while airport authorities remained silent on the lack of ground handling staff. Although weather conditions have improved, the airport continues to face a wave of criticism regarding the failure of evacuation procedures. Experts point out that the lack of airport bus drivers was the decisive factor that prevented people from being transported to the terminal. At the same time, tragic news is coming from the French Alps. In the La Chapelle d'Abondance area of the Haute-Savoie department, a powerful avalanche swept away two women practicing ski touring. Despite a rapid rescue operation, they could not be saved. Authorities are warning of extremely high avalanche danger, which in many regions of Austria and France has reached level four on the five-level scale. Record snowfall combined with rapid temperature changes have made the snowpack unstable. Over the last two decades, an increase in the number of violent weather phenomena has been observed in Central Europe, which experts link to climate change. Increased frequency of extreme snowfall in a short time regularly exposes staffing shortages in transport systems, which were weakened by restructuring during the pandemic period.„Les deux victimes ont été retrouvées sous une épaisse couche de neige ; malgré les tentatives de réanimation, les médecins ont constaté le décès.” (The two victims were found under a thick layer of snow; despite resuscitation attempts, doctors confirmed their deaths.) — Le Dauphiné Libéré In Bavaria, alongside the avalanche threat, concerns are emerging about flash floods. The water level of the Isar River in Munich has reached the first warning level. Although forecasts for some regions of Germany predict slight stabilization, rescue services remain on full alert. The chaos at the airport and the tragic accidents in the mountains have prompted local governments to debate tightening regulations concerning tourist safety and the liability of airlines for compensation in cases of extreme weather situations. 30 — people have died in avalanches in France this season Effects of Weather Anomalies in France and Germany: Main problem: Airport chaos (Germany) → Avalanche threat (France/Austria); Number of affected: 600 stranded passengers → 2 fatalities in the Alps; Alert status: Level 1 (Isar flood) → Level 4 (avalanches in France)