Winds of more than 200 kph (120 mph) tore through eastern Europe on Friday, uprooting trees, knocking down power lines and cutting a trail of destruction that left at least 39 people dead across the continent, Reuters reported. Rail and air travel were disrupted and millions of people were without electricity. Cars and buildings were battered by the worst storm in years that also caused widespread floods. German airline Deutsche Lufthansa said many flights would be cancelled or delayed, especially in Frankfurt, as winds remained strong. National rail operator Deutsche Bahn also expected major disruptions. London's Heathrow Airport said short-haul and domestic flights were affected. Flights were also delayed in Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Britain, where winds gusted up to 99 mph (160 kph) in the worst storms in 17 years, 12 people died. Eleven people died and 200 were hurt in Germany as the country was battered by a storm of the sort only seen every 10 or 20 years. Six deaths were reported in Poland, another six died in the Netherlands and four died in the Czech Republic. Ukraine suspended deliveries of Russian crude oil through its pipeline to central Europe after storms brought down a power line. More than one million Czech customers faced power cuts and fallen trees disrupted travel on the nation's railways. Power outages were also reported in Slovakia and Romania. Meteorologists reported gusts of up to 216 kph (134 mph) at the top of the Czech Republic's highest mountain, Snezka.
