The Bolivian authorities said on Monday that 18 people had died in a cold wave with the lowest temperature of 3 Celsius degrees in 29 years.

Santa Cruz, a department in the east of the country, registered on Monday the record low temperature of 3 Celsius degrees.

The cold wave made the authorities suspend schools till Wednesday in nine departments of the country.

The Education Ministry said it will evaluate the influence of these low temperatures and the respiratory infections to decide whether to extend the suspension.

Meanwhile, sources of the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology said another cold wave will reach the country on Thursday, but this one will be of lower intensity.