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Huge storms sweep northern Europe Huge storms sweep northern Europe
(about 1 hour later)
At least 14 people have been killed as violent storms lashed northern Europe, causing travel chaos across the region. At least 15 people have been killed as violent storms lashed northern Europe, causing travel chaos across the region.
Britain was the worst hit with seven people killed as heavy downpours and gales of up to 70mph swept the country.Britain was the worst hit with seven people killed as heavy downpours and gales of up to 70mph swept the country.
Hurricane-force winds battering Germany have claimed at least three lives. The other deaths were reported in the Netherlands and France.Hurricane-force winds battering Germany have claimed at least three lives. The other deaths were reported in the Netherlands and France.
The severe weather has forced hundreds of flight and ferry cancellations and prompted road and school closures.The severe weather has forced hundreds of flight and ferry cancellations and prompted road and school closures.
The first fatality was reported in Shropshire, England, where a 54-year-old man died after his car was crushed by a falling branch. Three other people died on the roads in the UK.The first fatality was reported in Shropshire, England, where a 54-year-old man died after his car was crushed by a falling branch. Three other people died on the roads in the UK.
In pictures: Europe lashedIn pictures: Europe lashed
A two-year-old boy also died when a wall collapsed on him in the capital, London.A two-year-old boy also died when a wall collapsed on him in the capital, London.
One man was killed on a road in south-western Germany when he crashed into another vehicle as he tried to avoid a fallen tree, police said.One man was killed on a road in south-western Germany when he crashed into another vehicle as he tried to avoid a fallen tree, police said.
In Bavaria, a 73-year-old man was killed when he was struck by debris. In Munich, an 18-month-old child died after being crushed by a door that blew off its hinges.In Bavaria, a 73-year-old man was killed when he was struck by debris. In Munich, an 18-month-old child died after being crushed by a door that blew off its hinges.
Three people were killed by falling trees in the Netherlands, and one person was killed the same way in Lille, France. Three people were killed by falling trees in the Netherlands, and one person was killed the same way in Roubaix, France. A 30-year-old man was also killed in a motoring accident in the Somme.
'Stay indoors''Stay indoors'
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin says schools have been shut and emergency services have mobilised extra staff.The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin says schools have been shut and emergency services have mobilised extra staff.
The weather system is moving across western German states. German radio says more than 40,000 volunteers are on standby, as widespread damage is expected.The weather system is moving across western German states. German radio says more than 40,000 volunteers are on standby, as widespread damage is expected.
The crew of MSC Napoli abandoned ship in the English ChannelLow-lying areas of northern Germany are preparing for possible flooding.The crew of MSC Napoli abandoned ship in the English ChannelLow-lying areas of northern Germany are preparing for possible flooding.
In the Netherlands, as in Germany, people have been advised to stay indoors.In the Netherlands, as in Germany, people have been advised to stay indoors.
"Our country has not had a storm like this in years. We advise you to follow weather alarms and messages to the letter," the Netherlands' Royal Weather Service said."Our country has not had a storm like this in years. We advise you to follow weather alarms and messages to the letter," the Netherlands' Royal Weather Service said.
Austria forecast winds of up to 170kph (105 mph) at higher altitudes in the Alps, and officials warned skiers to get off the mountains and seek shelter well before nightfall.Austria forecast winds of up to 170kph (105 mph) at higher altitudes in the Alps, and officials warned skiers to get off the mountains and seek shelter well before nightfall.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • A British container ship is listing in the English Channel almost 50 miles (80km) off Cornwall - all 26 crew of the MSC Napoli abandoned ship
  • A British container ship is listing in the English Channel almost 50 miles (80km) off Cornwall - all 26 crew of the MSC Napoli abandoned ship
  • US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cuts short her visit to Berlin in order to leave for London before weather worsened
  • US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cuts short her visit to Berlin in order to leave for London before weather worsened
  • London's Heathrow Airport, Europe's largest, cancels 123 flights. Other major airports including Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam and Vienna report delays and cancellations
  • London's Heathrow Airport, Europe's largest, cancels 123 flights. Other major airports including Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam and Vienna report delays and cancellations
  • Ferries are cancelled or delayed in Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland - where minor floods are reported near Helsinki
  • Ferries are cancelled or delayed in Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland - where minor floods are reported near Helsinki
  • Residents along the North Sea coast are warned to expect storm swells up to 3.5m (11.5ft) higher than normal
  • Residents along the North Sea coast are warned to expect storm swells up to 3.5m (11.5ft) higher than normal
  • Traffic on the Eurostar, the train service connecting Britain with continental Europe, is suspended after an electrical cable holder fell onto tracks near the French city of Lille
  • Traffic on the Eurostar, the train service connecting Britain with continental Europe, is suspended after an electrical cable holder fell onto tracks near the French city of Lille
    • Are you in the areas affected by the heavy storms? How are you preparing for them? Send us your experiences using the form below:Are you in the areas affected by the heavy storms? How are you preparing for them? Send us your experiences using the form below:
    If you have any pictures of the storms you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.ukIf you have any pictures of the storms you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
    Please do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Please do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
    Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
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