MUNICH -- Heavy snowfall in Bavaria prompted an all-day cancellation of flights and long-distance trains out of Munich, with Christmas markets closed, some ski lifts unable to run and a football match called off as the city battled with the icy conditions.
Flights were not scheduled to depart or arrive at Munich airport until at least 6:00 am (0500 GMT) on Sunday according to a statement on its website.
"Everything is closed. Online doesn't work. Well, you have to be patient... there's nothing you can do," Magda Shokosa, a stranded passenger at Munich Airport, said.
"We had to dig our way into the car park with shovels and then take a taxi because the buses weren't running," said another passenger, Brigitte Schloessel.
Trains could not arrive at Munich's central train station, Deutsche Bahn said on its website. The halt was expected to last all day, it added, with considerable delays expected until Monday.
Local media reported numerous transport accidents and traffic jams on icy roads, with the German Weather Service estimating 30-40 cm of snow would fall by Saturday evening.
A Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin was also postponed due to the heavy snowfall.
Still, some Munich residents were cheerier about the wintry atmosphere created by the snowfall, with parents pulling their children along on sleds.
"Finally snow again. I think it's great because it's a bit quieter. It's a nicer atmosphere overall," said Friedrich Zeller as he walked through the snowy streets.
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Cars make their way on snow covered roads after heavy snowfall hit Bavaria and its capital Munich, Germany, December 2, 2023. The German Bundesliga soccer match FC Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin had to be cancelled, trains halted and the airport closed because of the weather condition. Photo: Reuters |
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Snow covered vehicles are parked in the streets after heavy snowfall hit Bavaria and its capital Munich, Germany, December 2, 2023. The German Bundesliga soccer match FC Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin had to be cancelled, trains halted and the airport closed because of the weather condition. Photo: Reuters |
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Passengers stand in line at Munich's airport after heavy snowfall hit Bavaria and its capital Munich, Germany, December 2, 2023. The German Bundesliga soccer match FC Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin had to be cancelled, trains halted and the airport closed because of the the weather condition. Photo: Reuters |
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Passengers wait at Munich's airport after heavy snowfall hit Bavaria and its capital Munich, Germany, December 2, 2023. The German Bundesliga soccer match FC Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin had to be cancelled, trains halted and the airport closed because of the the weather condition. Photo: Reuters |
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People walk outside the main train station Hauptbahnhof after heavy snowfall hit Bavaria and its capital Munich, Germany, December 2, 2023. The German Bundesliga soccer match FC Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin had to be cancelled, trains halted and the airport closed because of the weather condition. Photo: Reuters |
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A plane is parked at Munich's airport after heavy snowfall hit Bavaria and its capital Munich, Germany, December 2, 2023. The German Bundesliga soccer match FC Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin had to be cancelled, trains halted and the airport closed because of the the weather condition. Photo: Reuters |
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Passengers stand in line at Munich's airport after heavy snowfall hit Bavaria and its capital Munich, Germany, December 2, 2023. The German Bundesliga soccer match FC Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin had to be cancelled, trains halted and the airport closed because of the the weather condition. Photo: Reuters |
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A person walks past a departures board inside the Munich Airport in Munich, Germany, March 26, 2023. Photo: Reuters |