Heavy Snow Hits Austria, Shuts Down Key Rail Line

VIENNA (AP) — A major east-west railway route in Austria has been shut down following heavy snow in Tyrol, a popular Alpine skiing region.

Railway operator OeBB said the line between Oetztal and Bludenz — part of a route that connects Vienna and Innsbruck with Austria's western tip and Switzerland — was expected to remain closed until Sunday afternoon.

Two other rail lines connecting Tyrol province with southern Germany also were shut down. Overhead wires have been damaged by falling trees.

Heavy snow has blanketed Tyrol over recent days, leading to several road closures and an elevated risk of avalanches.