Spanish power failures claim fatality

Barcelona - Power cuts caused by heavy snowfall which have affected north-eastern Spain since Monday have claimed an apparent fatality, police said Thursday.

A 40-year-woman was found dead in her home in Ultramort near Gerona on Wednesday evening. She was believed to have been poisoned by the smoke emitted by a generator which she was trying to use to replace the regular electricity supply.

Two elderly people who were with her were hospitalized in serious condition.

If the woman's cause of death is confirmed, she would be the second fatality associated with snow storms after a 45-year-old man was found dead near Barcelona buried in snow on Tuesday.

At least 20,000 people remained without power in the Gerona area. Around a dozen people were hospitalized for intoxication after inhaling gases or smoke from braziers or other alternative heating or electricity devices.

DPA