Two people die of heatstroke in Cyprus as wildfires rage in 40°C temperatures
Source: World – Metro
Two elderly people have died from heatstroke during a 40°C heatwave in Cyprus where wildfires are currently raging.
The eastern Mediterranean island is a popular destinations with tourists seeking a summer getaway with golden beaches and blue waters.
But the record-breaking heatwave currently gripping the Greece, Cyprus and Turkey has proved deadly.
An 84-year-old woman died a day after being admitted to hospital on Friday, according to Cyrpus’s State Health Services Organisation.
It follows the news of a 91-year-old woman dying there on Friday, when temperatures reached 45°C.
Three more elderly patients remain in serious condition.
Hospitals have been overwhelmed by patients suffering heat exhaustion in recent days.
One woman suffered two cardiac arrests on the way to a hospital, according to a government spokesperson.
They said: ‘After investigating the incident, A&E doctors determined that the cardiac arrest was a result of heatstroke.’
The condition occurs when the core body temperature rises above 37.5°C. It ckills roughly 2,000 people each year in England alone.
Wildfires have torn through parts of the island, where temperatures have been around 40°C all week.
It has reportedly recorded record high heats for June, prompting to island to issue its first red alert for extreme heat this summer, the Mirror reported.
Temperatures are some 10 degrees higher than normal for this time of year.
Strong winds have proved an obstacle for firefighters attempting to control the flames.
Areas affected include a more than 3.2 square kilometre area of forest in Nicosia, the capital.
The flames scorched the mountainous area, threatening to destroy an entire village.
Nearly 50 people were forced to evacuate from their homes some 96km away in Paphos, on the southwest coast of Cyprus.
Aircraft from Greece and Jordan have been flown in to help firefighters in their efforts to suppress the flames.
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