Cold snap grips Europe and five people have died

Officials reported five people died in weather-related accidents as a cold snap brought temperatures below -12C in parts of Britain and caused widespread travel disruption in the Netherlands and at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

Officials reported multiple deaths and wide disruption as a cold snap moved across parts of Europe. Police sources described vehicle collisions among the incidents, and emergency services treated cases of hypothermia. Temperatures fell sharply overnight in Britain and the Netherlands. Major transport hubs and services reported cancellations and delays. Reported details: - Officials reported five people died in weather-related accidents, and some victims were involved in vehicle collisions. - A police source said a passenger was being treated for hypothermia and that another driver died east of Paris after a collision with a heavy goods vehicle. - Britain's Met Office reported temperatures plunging to about -12.5C overnight in Norfolk and noted nearly all of the United Kingdom was on alert for snow and ice. - Temperatures below -10C in parts of the Netherlands were reported to have halted trains, and Amsterdam's Schiphol airport grounded more than 400 flights, with long queues for travellers. Summary: The cold snap has been reported to cause fatalities in separate incidents and to disrupt travel across parts of northwestern Europe. Authorities and transport operators reported alerts, cancellations and delays. Undetermined at this time.