Cold snap kills 35 in Bolivia

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Cold snap kills 35 in Bolivia

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Freezing temperatures in Bolivia kill at least 35 people and forecasts expect conditions to worsen.

05 July,2011 06:59 am

Fog and snow has descended on the Bolivian capital in a cold snap that has killed at least 35 people.The area of El Alto, which sits at much higher elevation than the rest of La Paz at 4,000 metres above sea level, has been the worst hit.Authorities at the Fight Against Crime Special Forces said at least 33 people have died in El Altos impoverished suburbs alone.Residents in El Alto blame climate change for the harsh conditions, which buildings and heating systems in the area are not prepared for.Homeless people who cant bundle up against the cold and have only blankets to protect themselves from the freezing temperatures are those most at risk from hypothermia.The health ministry also reported 40,000 new cases of respiratory illnesses per week since the cold snap started.In other parts of the country record temperatures as low as 22 degrees below zero in the Salar de Uyuni are expected.