Breaking Earth NewsBulgaria/Romania
Sofia, Bulgaria: A bitterly cold winter storm pummeled parts of Europe on Thursday, killing at least three sailors when a ship sank in rough seas, and piling up snow that stranded thousands at airports, on mountain roads and in remote villages.
Authorities in northeastern Bulgaria declared a state of emergency, with the army called in to help civil defense officials clear roads and reach stranded motorists.
A cold spell also caused problems in neighboring Romania, where Bucharest's two main airports were closed. Parts of Turkey and Greece, as well as Western Europe, were also affected.
Some 311 Bulgarian villages were left without electricity and dozens were cut off without food supplies or fresh water, authorities said.
