Death toll climbs to 37 in Ukraine's cold spell

KIEV - At least 19 people died due to bitterly cold weather in Ukraine over the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 37 since the beginning of December, authorities said Tuesday.

Fatalities have been reported in the country's northern, central and eastern regions, where the temperature dropped below minus 15 degrees Celsius.

A man walks around his home trapped in snow, after blizzards near the western Ukrainian city of Brody, some 460 km west of Kiev, Dec 17, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Most victims were homeless people frozen to death on the streets, according to the Health Ministry.

In order to help those in need ride out the predicted freezing temperatures till next week, the authorities have set up 1,498 shelters with hot tea, heat sources and food.

The night temperatures across the country are forecast to drop to minus 28 degrees Celsius in the next three days.