Afghan officials say that at least 10 homeless drug addicts have died overnight in the capital, Kabul, due to subzero temperatures.

The Afghan Health Ministry said on December 16 that the 10 addicts had died in different parts of the city.

Another ministry source told RFE/RL that there were reports of dozens of addicts having died in the freezing weather, which was about minus 3 degrees Celsius.

The Health and Counternarcotics ministries announced on December 16 that they had begun a campaign to gather drug addicts in Kabul and provide treatment for them in an effort that would also keep them out of the inclement winter weather.

The Afghan capital is plagued with homeless drug addicts, largely a consequence of the widespread opium production in the country.