In Pics: Thousands stranded in Istanbul, Athens due to snowstorm

Rescue crews scrambled in Istanbul and Athens to clear roads, following a snowstorm that hit large parts of Turkey and Greece. Around 16 million people were left stranded as some areas witnessed nearly 31 inches of snow.

Stranded motorists had two options. To spend the night in their vehicles, or abandon them to find other ways home. However,env these abandoned vehicles ended up hampering the authorities’ efforts to clear the snow. Motorists were urged to return to their vehicles and remove them to ease the clean-up operations. 

While Istanbul and Athens faced the brunt of it, authorities in Greece had forewarned residents to avoid travelling unless necessary. However, people left for work amid a light snowfall, and then got caught as the day progressed.