Snow, ice disrupt travel across western Europe

A winter storm affecting large parts of western Europe was causing widespread travel chaos for a third day on Wednesday.

At least six people have died in weather-related incidents this week. Five of those deaths were in France, with the sixth coming in Bosnia, where snow and rain have triggered floods and power outages.

At least 700 flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport were canceled on Wednesday because of the snow and wind, after days of travel disruptions due to the winter storm.

Over 1,000 passengers were stranded at Schiphol overnight. Airport authorities said they had set up camp beds for travelers who were forced to sleep at the airport, which is one of the busiest in Europe.

In Paris, heavy snowfall forced around 140 flights to be canceled at Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports in the French capital.

Around 40 flights were also canceled in the Belgian capital.

Public buses were also suspended in Paris, as shops began the first day of New Year's sales.

School buses and trucks have also been banned from roads across northern and western France, amid forecasts of significant snowfall and black ice.

Rail services were also facing delays and disruptions, the country's rail operator said.

"Snow on the tracks is forcing us to limit train speed and cancel trains or adjust traffic," SNCF said. Eurostar trains between Paris, London and Brussels were also delayed.

In Scotland, hundreds of schools were closed for a third day amid freezing temperatures and snow. Authorities in England, meanwhile, were bracing for a snowstorm later this week.

While the weather was severely disrupting travel in Paris, tourists and locals took the opportunity to enjoy the snow.

People were seen skiing or sledging down Montmartre's steep hills, along the Champs de Mars underneath the Eiffel Tower, near the Louvre museum and along the banks of the River Seine.

"It's exceptional, it's incredible. It's magnificent ‌and we're enjoying it. We also came across a lot of tourists and they look so happy," Paris resident Pierre told Reuters news agency.

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