Moscow conserves energy as two more die in freeze

MOSCOW switched to a “strict” energy conservation programme and another two people froze to death as overnight temperatures plunged below minus 30 C (minus 22 F) in the capital and to substantially colder levels elsewhere in the country.

Students at state primary schools were allowed to stay home at parents’ discretion and the stalwart Kremlin ceremonial guard service said it may halve shifts around the eternal flame at the foot of the Kremlin walls to 30 minutes because of the cold.

Another two people died of hypothermia on the streets of Moscow and 15 others were hospitalised as a result of exposure to the cold, Interfax news agency said, while forecasters said temperatures would drop even further in the coming days.