Cold kills dozens in Moscow

MOSCOW, Russia -- Seventeen people died of exposure in Moscow in the past week, bringing the winter death toll so far to 170, a city medical official says.

Igor Elkis, the chief doctor at Moscow's ambulance station, said 228 cold victims were treated for frostbite in the past week.

Of those, 221 were hospitalised.

Hundreds of people freeze to death in Russia every year.

Officials say most of the victims are homeless people or those who pass out on the street after drinking.

Overnight temperatures have been as low as 12 degrees Celsius below freezing for over two weeks, making a hard life for homeless people.