Siberians left without heat in -50C

A emergency operation in under way in Siberia after more than 80 apartment blocks were left without heat in temperatures of between -35c and -50C. The central heating has also broken down at a school and a Kindergarden in the Republic of Sakha.

One village near the city of Yakutsk has twenty-five apartment blocks with no heating.

The city's mayor has taken personal charge of the repair operation.  It's reported that eight buildings have had their heating restored so far.

In another village, where temperatures have fallen to minus 50C, 59 buildings are without any heat source.

Residents have been evacuated while equipment has been flown in to restore the central heating.