Heat Wave Claims 17 Lives in South Korea, Mostly Elderly Farmers

South Korea is facing the impact of an intense heat wave that has claimed the lives of at least 17 people over the weekend. The majority of the victims were elderly farmers who were working outside in the extreme heat. The country has been grappling with scorching temperatures since mid-June when the first heat wave alerts were issued.

Recent highs have reached around 35 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country, exacerbating the situation. One passerby in his 60s collapsed on a farmland path in the province’s city of Gyeongsan on Sunday, with his body temperature reaching a critical 39.2 degrees Celsius.

Despite efforts to save him, he tragically passed away after being taken to a hospital in a state of cardiac arrest. The heat wave continues to pose a serious threat to vulnerable populations, and authorities are urging people to take necessary precautions to stay safe in extreme weather conditions.