London - Europe's leading stock markets tumbled at the start of trading on Wednesday as oil prices slumped to new 12-year lows and following sharp losses for equities in Asia.
Shortly after the open at around 10:15, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index was down 2.4% at 9 428.8 points compared with Tuesday's close.
The Paris CAC 40 index slumped 2.4% to 4 171.1 points and in London the FTSE 100 index lost 2.0% to 5 760.4.