Another seven people died in Moscow overnight Friday, bringing the death toll from the ongoing severe cold across Russia to 123 since October last year, Interfax reported.

A number of people were affected by the cold snap reaching minus 30 degrees Celsius in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities overnight, a source with the city's first aid service was quoted as saying.

In Moscow, another 22 people were taken to hospital overnight as a result of exposure to the severe cold, while 59 were hospitalized in St. Petersburg including 31 with frostbites, the report added.

Russia is experiencing the coldest winter since 1978-1979 when temperatures reached minus 38 degrees Celsius. Weather forecasters warned that no significant thaw is expected before February.

Source: Xinhua