Heavy storms have been developing throughout the east of the country since the start of the week at Frankfurt Airport, Germany.

A total of 133 flights were forced to be cancelled due to strong rains and concerns of lightning strikes.

The German national handball team members, were travelling back from a World Cup qualification game in Slovenia,upon arriving in Frankfurt, the team had to remain on-board their airplane for 90 minutes due to the lightning warning.

Some travellers had to stay overnight at the airport and were then able to fly on Friday when normal service had resumed. An airport spokesman would not say how many people had to sleep in the terminals.