Russian deep freeze death toll tops 70

THE death toll in Russia’s lethal deep freeze topped 70 as Russians hunkered down for more bad weather and forecasters warned the cold snap would continue to spread through Europe.

In Moscow, a spokesman for the city health services said five people died overnight in the capital, where temperatures hit minus 30 degrees C for a second day, with wind chill making it feel some 10 degrees lower.

The Interfax news agency said seven people had died - five on the streets and two in hospitals.

The latest deaths brought to at least 71 the number of those perishing across Russia since the start of severe weather late Monday, including 16 in the capital.

Weather forecasts predicted the continuation of bitter cold well into next week, with the Siberian anti-cyclone spreading west into Europe.

Yesterday alone, some 22 people were reported to have been killed in western Russia, including five in Moscow.

Eight of the reported fatalities, most of them homeless people, were in the northwest region of Novgorod, where temperatures sank to minus 38 C.

Reports said the freeze has also claimed nine more homeless people in the southern Volgograd region.

According to preliminary figures, more than 100 people required medical treatment for exposure and of those about 60 have been hospitalised, many suffering frostbitten noses and ears.

Crowds and traffic thinned out on Moscow’s usually teeming streets, ensuring a cold, lonely existence for vendors.

Sergei, who was working at one of the capital’s markets, said one of the most popular methods in Russia for fighting cold - vodka - was too dangerous.

“It only gives a sensation of warmth for a short while. Then you have to keep taking more and by the end of the day you are drunk.”

The Moscow city administration called on residents to insulate windows and doors to prevent heat loss and save energy, media said.

Burst hot water pipes and heat-producing boilers have been reported throughout Russia.

Power blackouts were reported in 12 communities in the greater Moscow region, Interfax news agency said, adding that authorities had decided to extend a “strict” energy conservation regime at least through the weekend because of the persistent freeze.