Major disruptions were caused in parts of central and northern Greece on Tuesday due to bad weather. Snowfall and extreme winds caused disruptions in train and ferry services as well as national roads.

A couple seek shelter during a heavy snowfall on the mountain of Penteli in northern Athens. [Agencies]

The national train service between Athens and the northern port city of Thessaloniki is out of service due to a derailment of an empty train on Monday caused by a land slide.

At the same time, ferries are tied up in ports nationwide, as strong winds reach 8 and 9 on the beaufort scale in many marine areas.

Many areas across Greece, in particular in northern and central mainland mountainous areas, have been affected by heavy snowfall. The northern prefecture of Grevena was declared as being in state of emergency, as heavy snow made roads unapproachable and dangerous.

At least 14 people who were trapped inside vehicles on snow-hit roads in two areas of central Greece were evacuated by rescue crews.

Even in the northern suburbs of Athens, drivers stopped to fit snow chains to their vehicles on Tuesday and many schools were closed.

According to the national meteorological service, the bad weather will retreat in the coming days and improve gradually from Thursday.