Cold spell kills seven

A cold spell in the Czech Republic, with temperatures dropping well below zero, claimed seven lives since Friday. Five of the victims, who died from exposure, were from Moravia and two were from Bohemia, the majority of them believed to be homeless. The latest victim, a man, was found at 4 am on Monday near a bridge in Ostrava. An autopsy has been ordered. The homeless community is the most at risk section of society in freezing temperatures and shelters in various parts of the country have reported being filled to capacity. Sunday night was the coldest so far, with temperatures in places falling to -12 and even -20 degrees Celsius.