Heavy snow strands drivers in western Serbia

TANJUG/printscreen

Heavy snow has blocked some roads in mountainous areas of western Serbia, leaving drivers stranded overnight and waiting for heavy machinery to clear the way.

The Novi Pazar and Sjenica areas saw heavy snowfall with a number of roads blocked. Local authorities warned drivers not to take to the roads if they don’t need to.  

The Serbian state TV (RTS) reported that firefighters and communal services managed to rescue several people, including five children and a pregnant woman, stuck in their cars in the snow in the Kosjeric municipality. The police reported finding an elderly man’s body in one of the cars. The snow left some 2,500 households without power in the Ivanjica area.

The RTS also warned of strong northwesterly winds, especially across higher ground and approach roads to mountain resorts.  

The Serbian auto club (AMSS) said that the Putevi Srbije (state-owned roads maintenace company) had deployed its crews to clear roads. The AMSS also warned of ice on the roads across the country following a drop in temperature and more snow expected overnight.