Family-of-four killed after avalanche crushes car
A German family-of-four died when an avalanche smashed into their car on an Austrian road.
The snow hit a 300 yard section of road near Obergurgl.
A 13-year-old boy and a girl, 11, were among the victims.
After heavy snowfalls overnight, only vehicles with snow chains could use most mountain roads in Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Salzburg.
The ski resorts of Zuers and Lech are cut off from the outside world.
Three snowboarders at the resort of Silvretta-Nova, in Montefon, were rescued on Thursday night after ski-ing away from marked slopes.
Experts warned that avalanches could be triggered at the slightest pressure. The severe conditions are set to continue for the weekend.
Parts of Eastern Europe also reported extreme weather conditions.
In the Czech Republic, Prague's international airport was closed today, as were many roads throughout the country.
Slovakia reported snowstorms in the north of the country, with forecasts of more snow.
Blizzards throughout northern Transylvania, in western Romania, resulted in 20 inches of snow and traffic chaos.
