A historic heatwave in western Canada and the United States Northwest has led to hundreds of deaths over the past week, AP reported on Fri...
A historic heatwave in western Canada and the United States Northwest has led to hundreds of deaths over the past week, AP reported on Friday.
Lisa Lapointe, British Columbia’s chief coroner, said 486 deaths had been reported in the Canadian province between June 25 and Wednesday – a period in which about 165 deaths would typically be documented by authorities.
“While it is too early to say with certainty how many of these deaths are heat related, it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather,” LaPointe said in a statement.
The police said on Twitter that 98 of the deaths happened in Vancouver, where two-thirds of the victims were 70 or older. Many homes in the region, like in the Pacific Northwest, do not have air-conditioning, leaving residents vulnerable.
“Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it,” Sergeant Steve Addison said. “Our officers are stretched thin, but we’re still doing everything we can to keep people safe.”
We’re saddened to see the toll the heatwave has taken on the community. 53 sudden deaths were reported to VPD on Tuesday. Since Friday, police in Vancouver have responded to 98 sudden deaths. 2/3 of the...
