[Anchor]

Seoul has experienced five consecutive days of tropical nights. As temperatures in some regions soared close to 40°C, the government raised its heatwave response level to the highest tier.

Reporter Lee Seong-hoon has the story.

[Reporter]

Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul past 9:00 PM.

Citizens seeking to escape the heat packed the waterside.

They soak their feet in the cool water and chat with family and friends to briefly beat the heat.

[Park Su-hyeon / Jongno-gu, Seoul: Originally, we wanted to have chicken and beer, but my friends said it is fine at night and that soaking our feet would be refreshing, so....]

Tourists continued to visit this urban summer getaway.

[Jung Se-hyeon / Nam-gu, Daegu: I came up from Daegu, and having a stream like this in downtown Seoul makes it a really great space for people to rest.]

Tropical night advisories continued for the fifth consecutive day in Seoul, keeping the sweltering heat alive even at night.

During the day, the heatwave reached its peak.

Yesterday (the 27th), daytime highs approached 40°C in various southern regions, with Daegu recording 39.2°C (103°F), Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, 39.1°C (102°F), and Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, 38.1°C (101°F).

Heavy heatwave warnings were issued in 14 regions nationwide, including Gwangyang in South Jeolla Province, Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, and South Gyeongsang Province.

The heavy heatwave warning is the highest-level alert issued when an apparent temperature of 38°C or higher or a daily high of 39°C or higher is expected to persist for more than a day.

The government upgraded its heatwave disaster crisis alert to the highest level, "Serious," and activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Casualties from heat-related illnesses continue to mount.

Amid this heatwave, a total of 1,399 heat-related illness patients and 8 deaths have been reported nationwide.

The government urged citizens to refrain from outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day and to follow heatwave safety guidelines, such as staying hydrated and taking adequate rests.

(Camera Reporter: Kang Si-woo | Video Editor: Kim Jun-hee)