Five dead as violent storm hits Europe

At least five people have reportedly been killed in violent storm that hit north-west Europe on Thursday, causing traffic disruptions and power outages across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

According to The Guardian, a 62-year-old man was killed in Netherlands central town of Olst after a branch of a tree fell on him, while he was removing debris from the road while another 62-year-old person died after a tree fell over his car in Enschede.

In another similar incident, a 66-year-old man was reportedly killed after a fall due to the strong winds in Netherlands.

A woman driver was reportedly killed after a tree fell on to her car while she was travelling in Belgium's Grez-Doiceau area.

The violent gales also claimed a life in Germany as a 59-year-old man was killed by a falling tree in Emmerich.

All long-distance train services were also cancelled in Germany, local media reports said.

Air traffic was also suspended and several flights got cancelled for few hours in Netherlands as winds of up to 90mph (140kph) blew across the country.

Schools were closed as a precautionary measure in many parts of Germany and people particularly in western regions were warned to stay indoors if at all possible, The Guardian reported.

The high winds played havoc on transport, as vehicles were seen toppling on the road in the region.