23 people succumb to freezing temps in Latvia

This winter's bitter cold spell in Latvia has already claimed the lives of 23 people, the national forensic center reported on Friday.

Of the 23 cold weather victims who died over the past month, 19 were men and four were women.

Four bodies were picked up on the street, while others were found in homes, staircases, abandoned buildings, woods, ditches and garages. Six of the victims had been drinking alcohol before freezing to death.

Eleven people died from exposure to freezing temperatures in the capital city Riga, the forensic center said. Endit