Three killed in Sweden as major storm sweeps Nordic countries

A 3rd particular person has died in Sweden after a robust winter storm swept throughout Nordic international locations, inflicting journey disruption and energy outages.

Sweden’s meteorological company issued alerts for sturdy winds for big elements of the northern half of the nation as Storm Johannes hit.

One man in his 50s died after being struck by a tree on the Kungsberget ski resort within the nation’s south, native media and police reported. Additional north, regional utility firm Hemab stated one in every of its staff died in an accident whereas out working.

Police additionally stated a person in his 60s was taken to hospital after being hit by a tree whereas working in a forest in Hofors, east-central Sweden, and later died of his accidents.

Tens of 1000’s of houses in Sweden, Norway and Finland have been left with out energy because of the storm.

In Sweden, greater than 40,000 houses had been affected by energy outages and quite a few rail companies had been cancelled, Swedish information company TT reported.

A number of flights, rail and ferry companies throughout elements of the Nordic nations have been cancelled.

Roads and rail companies have additionally been disrupted as a result of storm circumstances.

In Norway’s Nordland area, one of the crucial northerly counties within the nation, the fireplace division responded to greater than 200 climate‑associated incidents, broadcaster NRK reported.

Storm Johannes lower energy to round 23,000 houses in Nordland and an additional 9,000 had been with out electrical energy within the Inland area, in accordance with NRK.

In Finland, the storm – recognized there as Hannes – subsided on Sunday morning however had left greater than 60,000 houses with out energy, in accordance with public broadcaster Yle.

Flights at Kittila airport in northern Finland had been grounded after heavy winds pushed a passenger jet and a smaller aircraft off the runway and right into a financial institution of snow, the Helsinki Occasions reported.

The Swiss Air jet, carrying about 150 passengers, had simply landed from Geneva and was taxiing when it veered off, the paper stated. The smaller jet, a 400XT mannequin, was on the bottom on the similar time and was additionally pushed astray by the wind, it added.

There have been no reported accidents.