Snowstorm strands thousands in Istanbul and Athens

Rescue crews in Istanbul and Athens are scrambling to clear roads that came to a standstill after a massive cold front and snowstorms hit much of Turkey and Greece, leaving countless people and vehicles in both cities stranded overnight in freezing conditions.

Roads in and around Istanbul became clogged on Monday after the storm pounded the city of about 16 million people which straddles the European and Asian continents, with more than 80cm (31in) of snow in some areas.

Stranded motorists spent the night in cars, abandoned their vehicles to walk home or crowded subways and other public transport.

In Athens, rescue crews were still trying to free around 200 to 300 drivers trapped on a major motorway that runs across Athens and connects the Greek capital with the city’s international airport.

The army was sent out overnight to deliver food and water to those trapped and to help free as many as possible.

Istanbul’s Disaster Co-ordination Center (AKOM) said an Icelandic low-pressure system was behind the cold front and precipitation affecting most of the country.

Authorities suspended flights at Istanbul Airport — where the roof of a cargo facility collapsed from the weight of the snow on Monday — over safety concerns, but transport minister Adil Karaismailoglu said limited flights would resume soon.

Authorities in Greece had warned people to limit their movements to the essential and to use snow chains on city streets, but many people had set out for work in the morning when the snowfall was much lighter and became trapped in their cars as the day wore on.

The snowstorm, complete with thunder and lightning, hit the wider Athens area late in the morning on Monday, dumping large amounts of snow on the city.

Officials said the Greek prime minister contacted the highways administration and asked for each trapped driver to receive 2,000 euros (£1,674) in compensation, which the agency accepted.

The severe weather also brought rare snowfall to holiday resorts in Turkey’s south west, including Bodrum and Datca, with snow and slippery conditions blocking a motorway linking the provinces of Mugla and Denizli.

Antalya city centre, on the Mediterranean coast, saw its first snowfall in 29 years, NTV television reported.