Heavy weather causes fatalities, travel disruptions in UK and France
Storms caused deaths and disruptions to air, rail and road travel in the United Kingdom and France on the eve of Christmas 2013.
In London, Gatwick Airport posted an advisory on its site that because of adverse weather on December 23, there were power cuts in the North Terminal which affected check-in and caused delays to departing flights.
There was a limited train service to and from Gatwick and passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journey to the airport, the notice said.
Reports from the UK said that two people died in the December 23 storm, in Cumbria and Gwynedd.
Winds reaching 140 km/h were reported from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK faced severe weather and flood warnings in various parts. Rail travellers were warned of disruptions to services.
An estimated 150 000 households in southern England had power cuts.
Some cross-channel ferry services were cancelled on December 24.
France also experienced air, road and rail traffic disuption. Strong winds led to the cancellation of flights to and from Lille on December 24.
In Bulgaria, Sofia Airport’s website indicated no cancellation of flights to and from the UK and France.
(Archive Photo of Gatwick: Martyn Davies)
