Eastern European cold snap death toll rises to 71

KIEV, Ukraine - The death toll from a severe cold spell in Eastern Europe rose to 71 on Wednesday, most of them homeless people.

Temperatures dropped to -30 C in some regions, causing power outages and traffic chaos and prompting authorities to close schools and nurseries.

Urkaine alone reported 43 deaths. The Emergency Situations Ministry said on Wednesday that 28 people were found dead on the streets, eight died in hospitals and seven in their homes. More than 720 others were hospitalized with hypothermia and frostbite.