Karlsruhe, Germany, 22 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Heavy snowfall has hit parts of western Europe, bringing serious disruption to traffic and forcing the Eiffel Tower to close temporarily.

Emergency services in the south-western German state of Baden-Württemberg were called out to assist in more than 380 weather-related incidents within 18 hours, police said on Friday.

A police spokesman said at least 30 people were wounded, mostly suffering minor injuries, with damage exceeding €1 million ($1.04 million).

Worst hit were the cities of Freiburg and Constance, where police were called out in 135 and 140 weather-related operations respectively between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, they said.

In neighbouring France, around 1,750 lorries were stuck on motorways, with the northern regions of Burgundy and Normandy most affected, Transport Minister François Durovray told broadcaster BFMTV.

Hundreds of heavy-duty vehicles were stuck on difficult stretches after drivers reportedly ignored bans imposed due to the weather conditions. Many drivers were forced to spend the night in their vehicles.

Rail traffic was also disrupted in France, where 200,000 households were also without power due to the weather according to supplier Enedis.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed to visitors after being covered in rare snowfall.

Photo: epa