TOKYO, Japan - Sweltering summer heat in Japan has left at
least 15 people dead over the past week, while more than 8,000 others
were rushed to hospital with heatstroke symptoms.
At least six people died on Saturday alone, when the state weather
agency warned temperatures had topped 35 degrees Celsius, with dripping
humidity in certain parts of the country.
Nearly 8,600 people were taken to the emergency room for heat-related
symptoms in the week through Sunday, more than double the previous
week, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.
The elderly were particularly vulnerable to the rising temperatures,
with nearly half of those taken to hospital aged 65 or older, the agency
data showed.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that the mercury was expected to top 35 degrees Celsius again today.
Last year, Japan experienced its hottest summer on record, with the
mercury hitting a record 41 degrees Celsius in some parts of the
country.
Tens of thousands were taken to hospital suffering from heat-related symptoms.
The archipelago nation regularly experiences sweltering summer temperatures.
Sources: Agencies
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