GENEVA, Switzerland - January 4, 2010 - A cold snap across Europe killed 13 people in Poland over the New Year as avalanches and skiiing accidents left at least 10 others dead in the Alps, police and rescuers said Monday.
As temperatures plunged to minus 25 degrees Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit) in Poland at the start of the year, the number of cold-related deaths rose to 122 so far this winter, police said.
Most victims were homeless men aged 35 to 50 who died of hypothermia while drunk, they said.
In the Swiss Alps, avalanches killed at least five people with three others missing, emergency services and police said.
As temperatures plunged to minus 25 degrees Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit) in Poland at the start of the year, the number of cold-related deaths rose to 122 so far this winter, police said.
Most victims were homeless men aged 35 to 50 who died of hypothermia while drunk, they said.
In the Swiss Alps, avalanches killed at least five people with three others missing, emergency services and police said.