Cold Kills 13 In Moldova

(RFE/RL) 24 January 2006 -- Moldovan authorities say that the current cold spell has killed at least 13 people over the past five days. About 30 others have been hospitalized with hypothermia.

Emergency official Mihai Josan said most of the people who died were either drunk or homeless. Two of those hospitalized had their legs partially amputated.

Temperatures plunged to 30 degrees Celsius overnight in northern Moldova, the coldest recorded temperature since 1963. Temperatures are currently minus 20 Celsius.

(BASA, AP)