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Dozens die in Ukraine's cold snap | Dozens die in Ukraine's cold snap |
(about 5 hours later) | |
At least 83 people have died in Ukraine from a cold spell that has been gripping the country, officials say. | At least 83 people have died in Ukraine from a cold spell that has been gripping the country, officials say. |
Temperatures as low as -23C (-9F) and heavy snowfall this month have left the capital Kiev and most of the country under a thick frozen layer. | Temperatures as low as -23C (-9F) and heavy snowfall this month have left the capital Kiev and most of the country under a thick frozen layer. |
In western areas, vehicles were trapped in a three-day traffic jam stretching at one point about 20km (12 miles). | In western areas, vehicles were trapped in a three-day traffic jam stretching at one point about 20km (12 miles). |
The severe weather is also affecting neighbouring Bulgaria and Romania, where six people have reportedly died. | The severe weather is also affecting neighbouring Bulgaria and Romania, where six people have reportedly died. |
Meteorologists warn that the cold snap in the region could continue and temperatures may drop even further. | Meteorologists warn that the cold snap in the region could continue and temperatures may drop even further. |
'Heating shelters' | 'Heating shelters' |
On Friday, a senior official from Ukraine's health ministry said that 83 people were now known to have died from the cold. Most of the victims had been found on the streets. | On Friday, a senior official from Ukraine's health ministry said that 83 people were now known to have died from the cold. Most of the victims had been found on the streets. |
Volodymyr Yurchenko also said that more than 500 people were still being treated in hospitals across the country. | Volodymyr Yurchenko also said that more than 500 people were still being treated in hospitals across the country. |
Nearly 100 towns and villages across the country remain without electricity, and emergency crews are continuing their work to try to restore power. | Nearly 100 towns and villages across the country remain without electricity, and emergency crews are continuing their work to try to restore power. |
Army units have also been deployed to help clear the snow on major motorways. | Army units have also been deployed to help clear the snow on major motorways. |
Thousands of "heating shelters" have been set up where those in need - particularly the homeless and the elderly - can receive a hot meal and a warm place to sleep. | Thousands of "heating shelters" have been set up where those in need - particularly the homeless and the elderly - can receive a hot meal and a warm place to sleep. |
But the authorities have been criticised for being slow to react to the adverse weather. | But the authorities have been criticised for being slow to react to the adverse weather. |
Not everyone is taken care of, critics say, and a number of homeless people know nothing about the emergencies shelters. | Not everyone is taken care of, critics say, and a number of homeless people know nothing about the emergencies shelters. |
"I sleep in the cellar of an abandoned building. I have a roof over my head and nothing else," Dima, a homeless man in Kiev, told the BBC. | "I sleep in the cellar of an abandoned building. I have a roof over my head and nothing else," Dima, a homeless man in Kiev, told the BBC. |
Last winter, more than 100 people died from the cold in Ukraine. | Last winter, more than 100 people died from the cold in Ukraine. |