Heat-Related Deaths Reported for Fourth Consecutive Day... Toll Rises to 21, Surpassing Last Year

As record-breaking heatwaves continue, presumed deaths from heat-related illnesses have been reported for four consecutive days for the first time this summer.

The death toll this year has risen to 21, surpassing the number of fatalities recorded during the same period last year.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), a total of 198 people visited around 500 emergency rooms nationwide yesterday (August 4) suffering from heat-related illnesses, among whom one person died.

The number of heat-related illness patients has exceeded 100 every day since the 1st of this month.

The person who died yesterday was a man in his 60s residing in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, who reportedly collapsed while working in a field.

The total number of deaths caused by heat-related illnesses now stands at 21.

While the total number of heat-related illness patients this year is at 75% of the 3,238 patients recorded during the same period last year, the death toll has already exceeded last year's total of 20.

This indicates that heat-related illnesses have become more fatal this summer compared to last year.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.