Temperatures in Russia's Far Eastern republic of Sakha (Yakutia) have plunged to minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and meteorologists warn it could get colder.
The village of Oymyakon, situated in "Stalin's Death Ring" (a popular destination for political exiles during the Soviet dictator's time), is the coldest populated place on Earth, with average winter temperatures of minus 45 degrees Celsius (minus 49 degrees Fahrenheit).
"Temperatures of minus 58.6 degrees Celsius were registered in the north of Yakutia on Friday," authorities said in a statement. "Similar temperatures were registered in the east of the republic."
"These figures are 10-12 degrees below the norm," the statement added.
YAKUTSK, December 24 (RIA Novosti)
