Berlin: Wintry conditions continued to wreak havoc on Christmas travel in Germany on Friday, with about 700 people forced to spend part of the night on five trains stuck between Berlin and Hanover after the wiring for the rail network iced up.
Ice also hit the country's road system, with many streets and highways becoming as smooth as glass after a night of ice rain brought traffic to a halt in large parts of the nation.
Authorities warned that travellers could expect delays in reaching their destinations.
After weeks of heavy snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures, milder temperatures resulted in rain, which turned to ice after falling on the frozen ground.
Germans are, however, looking forward to a white Christmas, with fresh snow forecast for Friday as temperatures fall again. For Germans, like many Europeans, Dec 24 is the most important day during the Christmas festive season.
The weather chaos also continued to hold France in its grip on Friday, with about 2,000 passengers spending the night into Friday marooned at the country's biggest airport, reported French media.
The stranded passengers have been supplied with field beds and blankets.
Conditions are expected to worsen, as French civil aviation authorities have projected that as many as 50 per cent of flights in France could be cancelled through midday Friday due to low temperatures and a shortage of de-icing supplies.
However, no problems were reported with ground traffic in France
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