The Spanish cargo ship smashed into pieces on the southwestern French coast symbolises Europe’s extreme weather, with more storms, floods and snow forecast in the next few days.<br /><br />French authorities say 20 tonnes of fuel from the Luno’s stern have probably diluted into the sea and are not expected to pollute the beaches. <br /><br />It’s hoped tests will determine whether the remaining 70 tonnes are still inside, but the conditions have made access difficult. <br /><br />The 11 crew members have been questioned as part of an inquiry into how the vessel became shipwrecked.<br /><br />Meanwhile preparations have been underway to batten down the hatches in anticipation of the next wave of stormy weather.<br /><br />In Slovenia snow and ice has caused serious damage to infrastructure, leaving tens of thousands of homes without electricity.<br /><br />Following the death of a 20-year-old who was electrocuted while trying to fix a power line, Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek – on a visit to the worst hit area – said the safety of emergency workers was a priority.<br /><br />More mobile generators are being delivered to the region, following help that has already arrived from Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.<br /><br />“We are working to stabilise things as quickly as possible. But you can’t fight nature,” the prime minister said.<br /><br />Neighbouring Austria is experiencing its own problems with the sheer quantity of snow.<br /><br />The army is using helicopters to remove snow from treetops after many came crashing down.<br /><br />Several areas are unreachable by car.
