Capitals,SANA- A cold wave originating from Antarctica brought record low temperatures to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay causing at least 15 deaths and prompting emergency shelter activation and gas supply restrictions across the region.

In Argentina, the capital Buenos Aires recorded a minimum temperature of -1.9°C the lowest since 1991, while the coastal city of Miramar experienced snowfall for the first time in 34 years causing 9 deaths. Uruguay declared a nationwide red alert after six deaths were reported.

Authorities forcibly relocated homeless people to emergency shelters. The capital Montevideo recorded a maximum temperature of 5.8°C, the lowest since 1967.

The government activated emergency protocols to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Chile also experienced sharp drops in temperature.

The city of Chillán, reported -9.3°C according to the Chilean Meteorological Directorate.

chilean authorities implemented emergency shelter plans for homeless populations during the coldest period. Climatologists attributed the cold wave to a rare northward movement of polar air from Antarctica.

“What happened this week in Chile and the Southern Cone in general is a cold wave caused by an escape of a polar air mass from Antarctica,” said Raul Cordero, climatologist at the University of Santiago.

Iman /Mazen