A spell of extreme cold weather has brought ice and snow to much of Argentina, killing¹ at least nine.

一股强冷空气袭击阿根廷，带来的冰雪造成至少9人丧生。

Most of the victims were homeless people in the capital Buenos Aires who died of hypothermia（降低体温） , a local non-governmental organisation² said.

The cold front moving up from Antarctica has caused temperatures to plunge³ across the southern cone⁴（圆锥体） region of South America.

Deaths have also been reported in Paraguay（巴拉圭） , Uruguay and Bolivia.

"The wave of cold air from the polar region continues to affect all of Argentina's territory with intense frosts" Argentina's national meteorological（气象的） service reported.

It recorded minimum temperatures of minus 14C in Patagonia and central Argentina and between 0C and 3C in the north.

Argentina has stepped up electricity imports from Brazil and put restrictions⁵ on the use of natural gas by industry to ensure the increased energy demand for domestic heating can be met.

The cold snap（寒流，寒潮） also hit Bolivia, where local media reported at least two deaths in the tropical region of Santa Cruz.

Bolivia's education ministry⁶ ordered schools to close until 21 July because of the cold.

Low temperatures have also affected⁷ Chile, southern Brazil, and eastern Peru.

The unusually cold winter weather in South America follows one of the coldest winters for years in many parts of the northern hemisphere.