Warsaw, Feb 2 (.) More than 50 people have died in Poland since the start of winter due to extremely low temperatures, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Wieslaw Szczepanski told reporters on Monday.
“The wave of severe frost is reaching its peak. We have sad news of new victims. Currently, we have information about 54 deaths and 36 cases of hypothermia,” Szczepanski said, emphasizing that people living in abandoned buildings are particularly at risk.
“Once again, we urge everyone living in abandoned buildings to move to places with higher temperatures,” he added, warning that the coming night will be the coldest in Poland since the beginning of winter.
Szczepanski also highlighted potential hazards on the roads. “For now, roads in Poland are passable, but we are concerned about the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, when drizzle may occur in southern voivodeships. A drop in temperature could cause ice on road surfaces, making travel, especially to schools, difficult and dangerous,” he said.
The deputy minister urged drivers, particularly those traveling long distances, to prepare adequately with warm clothing, hot drinks, and sufficient fuel. “In difficult weather, stopping the vehicle can lead to hypothermia, so proper protection is crucial. Crisis Management Staffs are monitoring the situation constantly, and services are ready to help anyone affected by the severe weather,” Szczepanski said.
School closures have been announced in three provinces due to the extreme cold. In Masovian Province, dozens of schools will remain closed; in Warmian-Masurian Province, schools lacking adequate heating will also shut down; and in Pomeranian Province, some schools in Kwidzyn have been closed, with further decisions pending.
In Warsaw and Radom, the Mazowieckie Voivode confirmed that select tents, which previously operated with limited hours, will now be open 24/7 to provide shelter to those in need. Active train stations will also be maintained to ensure safety and warmth for the public wherever necessary.
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