Mcb777 AffiliateLooters raid storm-damaged Lidl store in Dublin before thugs 'rip off roof with a digger' as snow and ice spark chaos | The Sun - Machibet APP

LOOTERS cleared the shelves at a storm-damaged Lidl supermarket before a crime gang ripped its roof off with a digger.

Video footage posted on social media shows youths fleeing the popular discount giant in Citywest, Dublin, loaded down with stolen booze and food.

A Lidl store in Dublin was raided by a gang of looters who pounced during heavy snow last night

The looters used a digger to break into the building and lift out goods

The drama came as thousands found themselves stranded miles from home tonight as transport networks ground to a sudden halt during the ice storms - which have so far left 16 people dead.

Armed police and soldiers were called to the looting scene after a digger was used to get to the store's safe and nine people were arrested.

The supermarket - which was cut off to traffic by snow - was closed at the time and local crooks had taken advantage of the fact to force their way in.

Eight men aged between 24 and 47 years were due to appear in court today charged with theft, burglary and trespassing offences.

The carnage left at a Lidl in Fortunestown Lane in west Dublin, after a digger was reportedly used by looters to gain access to the storeCredit: PA:Press Association

Earlier looters had cleared the shelves at the storm-damaged branch

A digger was filmed ripping the roof off the supermarket as crowds watched on

The powerful machine was then seen pounding the store's giant safe

Mob loots Lidl by ripping open the supermarket roof with a digger during Storm Emma snowstorm in Dublin

Local Labour councillor Mick Duff said he was outraged by the group’s actions, describing the incident as “gangsterism”.

He told the Irish Sun: “At a time when our emergency services and public services are stretched to the limit that people would exploit a situation like that to do this.

“There’s no need here, this is just pure gangsterism. It literally brings shame to the area.”

Earlier commuters in London risked their lives when they jumped off stranded trains and walked alongside live rail lines after being trapped for hours.

Dozens of travellers jumped off Southeastern trains stuck between St Johns and Lewisham after pressing emergency buttons to open the doors.

Network Rail said it had to urgently turn off the track's power supplies to "stop the passengers from being killed."

Emergency crews arrive to rescue those on the trains and walking along tracksCredit: PA:Press Association

Dozens jumped off their packed trains when conditions became unbearableCredit: Nina Bevan / Twitter

The commuters were told they were risking their livesCredit: Luke Harvey

Others climbed across live rails to clamber onto empty platformsCredit: John Leonida / Twitter

The rebel commuters later claimed they had been stuck in packed carriages with overflowing toilets, no heating or lighting for more than three hours.

Some of those on board had started to get "hysterical" say passengers while others were panicking as they needed to get home to take medication.

Some even said that customers were forced to urinate into cups due to overflowing toilets.

Emergency services rushed to the scene to attempt to round up trespassers and rail companies issued warnings over safety and further delays.

Power was switched off on trains because of the incident and the police and fire service were brought in to help get people off trains.

Thousands of commuters are stranded at London's Waterloo StationCredit: Twitter / Robert McLean

The departures board at Waterloo station, where services will begin to wind down from 8pmCredit: Jordon-Lee / Twitter

Commuters stuck at Birmingham New Street station following cancellations due to the snowCredit: Anthony Batty / Twitter

Southeastern tweeted: "We know it's difficult and really unpleasant on board the trains but you're safer remaining on board."

One woman wrote: "Been on a train trying to get home for 3 hours now. 2 1/2 hours spent between #Lewisham and #Blackheath with hordes of ppl having jumped off @Se_Railway what exactly are you doing?

"You’ve been saying you’re about to turn the power back on for about an hour now."

Another said: "Three-and-a-half hours now. No toilet, heating, lights. #TRAINMAGEDDON."

British Transport Police said it had "deployed all available officers and emergency response teams" to evacuate passengers.

They added: "Whilst we understand peoples concerns & frustration, please, please remain on the trains.

"We are working with rail staff to evacuate passengers from a number of services along the line but please be assured we will get to you as soon as we are physically able to #Lewisham"

Other commuter called for the "idiots" who had jumped onto the tracks to have their season tickets taken away.

Fed-up commuters jump off trains at Lewisham after being stuck in packed carriages for more than three hours with no lighting or heating

Travellers abandon stranded trains in Lewisham as people walk across train lines to get home during storm Emma

Many commuters were forced to book into hotels or crash with friends as three of the south's major rail firms warned people not to travel.

Enormous crowds crammed onto concourses at Waterloo and Victoria, two of the capital's busiest stations, as they tried to make their way home.

Some incoming rail passengers said they had been travelling for up to seven hours as icy rails caused by the sub-zero temperatures sparked train cancellations, delays and breakdowns.

On the Underground, the Bakerloo, Jubilee, London Overground and Metroplitan lines were part suspended with delays.

To make things worse for those looking to escape the capital, a fire alarm caused London's Euston Station to be evacuated in the middle of rush hour.

People try to push a car in a pile up of cars that have become stuck in heavy snow during a blizzard at night in DublinCredit: Reuters

Desperate Fife villagers try to dig their way out of 8FT SNOW after being stranded for almost four days

Who has died in the treacherous weather battering Britain?

A 52-year-old homeless man, known as Ben, was found dead in a tent in Retford, Lincolnshire, on Tuesday
Three women died on Tuesday when a Renault Clio collided with a Scania lorry on the A15 in Baston just after 6.15am
Hours later a man was killed in a three-vehicle smash on the A47 near Peterborough
Stephen Cavanagh, 60, died on Wednesday after falling through a frozen lake in Welling, south east London
A 46-year-old man died in a crash on the A34 in Hampshire on Thursday
The body of a 75-year-old woman was found underneath a car near her home in Leeds on Thursday
Elaine McNeill, a care worker, was found dead in the snow on Thursday in Galsgow after she failed to turn up for work
A seven-year-old girl died in a car crash in the Cornish port of Looe yesterday afternoon
A man was found dead in his sleeping bag at a night shelter for the homeless in Canterbury this morning
A 20-year-old man died after falling over in Haddington, East Lothian
Police say a 70-year-old died after being rescused from cliffs in Torquay
Another man was found lying on a pavement in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent
The body of a woman has been found during the search for a missing hillwalker in the Forth Valley