Snow, freezing rain, gusting winds and record low temperatures in Europe are claiming lives and making for treacherous travel across the continent.
As many as 25 deaths have been reported. Authorities say many of the victims are homeless people who died as a result of exposure to the brutal winter elements.
Vehicle accidents on ice-covered roads have caused many injuries and closed highways. The M-1 motorway connecting Budapest with Vienna was closed Friday after a multi-car pile-up that killed a boy. In Slovakia, the Bratislava -Trnava highway was closed after a 40-car accident killed at least one person and injured 20 others.
The storms disrupted rail, road and air transport across the region. Electricity outages were reported Friday in Austria and Sweden.
New Year's revelers across Europe are being advised to take measures to protect themselves against the extreme weather conditions.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
