Heat-related death toll rises to 21 amid serious heat wave
Summary
A total of 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in Korea so far this year as intense heat continues across the country. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said 2,441 patients had visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions since mid-May. The death toll has already surpassed last year’s total of 20. The state weather agency issued additional serious heat wave warnings for the greater Seoul area, where temperatures are expected to reach 39 degrees on Thursday.
Key Facts
- One of the latest fatalities was a 60-year-old man who was working outside on a farm in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Tuesday.
- Heat exhaustion accounted for 61.7 percent of reported cases this year, followed by heat stroke at 16.8 percent and heat cramps at 11.5 percent.
- The weather agency placed 43 percent of the greater Seoul area under the highest alert level when it issued additional serious heat wave warnings.
- Temperatures in Seoul are expected to rise to as high as 39 degrees on Thursday, according to the agency.
A thermometer placed inside the apartment complex in Seoul reads 47 degrees Celsius, Wednesday. Yonhap
A total of 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in Korea so far this year as the country grapples with intense heat, health authorities said Wednesday.
A total of 2,441 patients have visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Tuesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Although fewer people suffered heat-related illnesses this year than during the same period last year, more people died this year, with the death toll surpassing last year's total of 20.
One of the latest fatalities was a 60-year-old man, who was working outside on a farm in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Tuesday.
Among the cases reported this year, heat exhaustion accounted for 61.7 percent, followed by heat stroke at 16.8 percent and heat cramps at 11.5 percent.
The state weather agency issued additional serious heat wave warnings for the greater Seoul area earlier in the day, placing 43 percent of the region under the highest alert level.
Temperatures in Seoul are expected to reach up to 39 degrees on Thursday, according to the agency.
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