Tirana - At least five municipalities and some 10,000 people in northern Albania were cut off after heavy snowfall, local reports said Thursday.

Layers of fresh snow exceeded 3 metres in some area of the mountainous region.

The highway Morina-Kukes-Qafa Shllak has been closed and it is believed that people may be trapped in cars stuck in snow. At least one family was rescued by police arriving after a several-hour trek. (dpa)