At least 28 people had died, 16 from hypothermia, as a polar cold wave swept across Argentina during the past week, authorities said Monday.

People in thick garments walk on a street in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, July 19, 2010. At least 28 people had died, 16 from hypothermia, as a polar cold wave swept across Argentina during the past week, authorities said Monday. [Xinhua]

The cold snap led to extremely low temperatures and widespread snowfalls across the country, with the northern and central regions the hardest hit.

On Monday, four more people were reported to have died of cold, taking the hypothermia toll to 16. The other 12 deaths were due to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by heating sources.

The government and civil organizations are giving out food and clothes to about 20,000 homeless people, most of them on the streets of the capital, Buenos Aires.

According to the meteorological department, warmer weather will start to return from Tuesday, but a quick return to cold conditions is possible.