Sofia, Bulgaria -
Heavy snow and strong winds have claimed a fourth victim of the cold spell that has gripped large parts of Bulgaria.
Authorities said Wednesday that harsh weather has left dozens of villages in the eastern half of the Balkan country without electricity and water.
A 76-year-old man died after getting stuck in a snowdrift in the village of Povet, near the Bulgarian-Turkish border. Three other men have died in weather-related incidents in eastern villages in the last two days.
Many roads are closed to traffic while rescue teams try to bring food supplies to remote villages. Hundreds of schools remain closed.
The main Black Sea port of Varna was shut because of high winds. - Sapa-AP