KIEV, Ukraine, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- More than 30 people have died in central and Eastern Europe as a result of sub-freezing temperatures, weather forecasters said.
In Ukraine, hypothermia was blamed for the deaths of at least 18 people while as many as 500 others have sought medical treatment for conditions related to the bitter cold, Europenews.net reported.
In Poland, at least 10 people have died after temperatures plunged to 18 degrees F. below zero. Among the victims were elderly and homeless people.
A state of emergency due to the cold was declared in Bulgaria for all but three of the country's 28 districts.
Schools and colleges in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev have canceled classes beginning Wednesday due to the severe cold, the Kiev city administration announced Tuesday.
The administration head told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency it has been a long time since temperatures dropped below zero.
Oleksandr Popov said classes would resume Feb. 5 if temperatures rise.
