BERLIN
At least nine people were killed and dozens of others were injured in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on Tuesday as a hurricane-strength storm hit large parts of northern and central Europe, German news agency DPA reported.
Niklas rampaged through Germany late Tuesday with winds as strong as 192 km/h, making it the strongest to hit the country since 2007.
The southern region of Bavaria was hit the worst with heavy storms claiming lives of at least two people and injuring many others.
A 61-year-old main died in an accident on the A95 highway and a 39-year-old woman died because trees fell on her car in the southwestern town of Dietramszeller.
Thousands of residents remained without power on Wednesday in the northern region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, local media reported.
In the western region of Rhineland-Palatinate, two young men died when a tree fell on their car during the storm.
German rail operator Deutsche Bahn cancelled dozens of long-distance and regional train services across Germany and also warned passengers for possible delays or disruptions for Wednesday.
Flights cancelled
Frankfurt Airport announced that a number of scheduled flights for Wednesday were cancelled due to the storm.
More than 180 flights were cancelled in Frankfurt on Tuesday and 63 flights were cancelled in Hamburg Airport.
The severe storm also hit northern areas in Austria on Tuesday, killing a 63 years-old man in the town of Mauthausen.
A 75-year old main died in the small Swiss town of Adelfingen as trees fell onto his car.
German Weather Service (DWD) announced Wednesday that Niklas has lost its strength in Germany but weaker storms would continue throughout the day.
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