Freezing temperatures kill 3 in Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Plummeting temperatures during the second cold front of the winter season in Honduras have left at least three people dead from hypothermia, local media reported on Wednesday.

Two men, aged 42 and 20, died in La Esperanza, capital of western Intibuca department, while a third man died in the western city of Santa Rosa de Copan, capital of Copan department, the daily La Prensa said.

"There are already three deaths from hypothermia in Honduras, where several departments registered temperatures as low as 8 degrees Centigrade," the daily said.

One of the victims, 42-year-old Jose Bernardo Gomez, reportedly died after a bout of drinking, after which "he fell asleep outdoors."

The deputy commissioner of the national emergency commission, Julio Quinonez, said the national weather center warned that this season would see fewer cold fronts, but with more extreme temperatures.

The Central American country lies in the tropics, but its central highlands often see low temperatures. Enditem