Deadly deep freeze takes hold in Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
22.01.2013 10:43
As thermometers plunge in Poland, 19 people have been reported to have died from the cold since the beginning of the year, bringing fatalities this winter to 90 so far.
Przemysl, south east Poland: photo - PAP / Darek Delmanowicz
Three people died from hypothermia on Sunday and one from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty heater, police say.
Most of the deaths have occurred in the central Mazovia province, which includes the capital Warsaw, says spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry, Malgorzata Wozniak.
The ministry, police and fire-fighters have called for more attention to be gikven to individuals exposed to hypothermia, particularly children, the elderly and the homeless.
Heavy snow has been causing travel chaos in many areas, with up to 20 cms of fresh snow falling in central and eastern areas over night.
Weather forecasters predict that temperatures will fall to minus 15 degrees Tuesday night in some areas of the country, with a thaw setting in at the beginning of next week. (pg)
source: IAR/PAP