Killer freeze sweeps Europe

Heavy snow and a severe cold snap killed at least 36 people across eastern Europe yesterday as schools closed, roads became impassible, and power supplies were cut.

As temperatures dropped to around -20C, authorities opened emergency shelters and urged people to remain indoors.

Ukraine’s Emergency Situations Ministry said 18 people died of hypothermia in recent days and nearly 500 people sought medical help for frostbite and hypothermia in just three days last week.