January 13, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 03, 1429

KABUL: Recent snowfall and cold temperatures have killed more than 50 people in western Afghanistan, an official said on Saturday.

“Today we got reports that 52 people have been killed and 17 others are missing just in Ghoryan and Shindand districts,” said Farzana Ahmedi, spokeswoman for the governor of Herat province.

The heavy snowfalls have blocked roads that link villages with larger district centres, contributing to the challenges faced by emergency response teams, Ahmedi said.

It was the first time in recent memory that snow and cold weather have caused such a high number of casualties in the province, Ahmedi said.—AP