Strong storms kill six in Germany, Poland and Czech Republic

Powerful storms have wreaked havoc in parts of central and northern Europe, killing at least
six people in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

The victims included a 63-year-old camper who drowned in a storm surge on the German coast and two holidaymakers whose motorboat overturned.

Winds reached 180km/h (112mph) on the Czech Republic's highest mountain.

Thousands of Poles and Czechs are still without power. The centre of the German city of Hamburg has been flooded. 

Media captionPlane tries to land in stormy weather at Austria's Salzburg airport... takes off again

Some rail services were still suspended in parts of Germany after routes sustained damage.

Disruption was also reported on railways and several roads across the Czech Republic.

Several people were killed by falling trees in strong winds both there and in Poland.

In Germany, a 48-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man died after the boat they were in overturned in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, according to local media. A third person was still missing on Monday.

Image caption The centre of the German city of Hamburg was flooded

Image caption Many cars have been damaged by falling trees

Image caption Winds reached more than 100km/h (60mph) in parts of the Czech Republic

A freighter - the Glory Amsterdam - ran aground off the German North Sea isle of Langeoog. The authorities are watching for any sign that its 1,800 tonnes of fuel oil might leak.

The ship's crew of 22 are uninjured on board and rescuers are trying to reach them, but massive waves are hampering the effort.

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