Six Die As Freezing 'Beast' Hits Balkans

Blizzards and freezing temperatures have killed at least six people in the Balkans, as rescue teams struggle to cope with the conditions.

Heavy snowfall blocked roads, closed airports, and shut down public transport across the region.

In Serbia's northern province of Vojvodina, 50cm (20ins) of snow fell in just a few hours leaving scores of motorists trapped in their cars.

Many had to wait hours before the rescue teams could reach them.

Officials said four people died in Croatia and two in Serbia, victims of the weather front dubbed "the Beast from the East" that had been forecast to hit the UK.

Ivica Dacic, who serves as Serbia's prime minister and interior minister, has ordered all police to help with rescue operations. People have been warned to stay indoors.

According to Serbian state television, a woman gave birth to a healthy baby in a stranded truck on her way to a hospital, and named her Snezana, or Snow White.

Croatian authorities said it was the heaviest snowfall in Zagreb in 57 years.

As the storms headed east across the Balkans on Sunday, Romania's army was trying to clear roads for the country's elections.

Heavy blizzards also affected Slovenia and Bosnia.