일본에서 섭씨 40도에 육박하는 기록적인 폭염이 계속되면서 지난 한 주 간 최소 15명이 사망하고, 8000명 이상이 병원으로 이송되는 등 인명피해가 속출했다.
지난 26일 하루에만 일부 지역의 기온이 38도까지 치솟으며 6명이 숨졌다. 일본 전국 927개 관측 지점 중 230여개에서 최고 기온 35도 이상을 기록했다.
<관련 영문 기사>
Japan heatwave kills 15, thousands hospitalised
Sweltering summer heat in Japan has left at least 15 people dead over the past week, while more than 8,000 others were rushed to hospital with heatstroke symptoms, official figures showed Tuesday.
At least six people died on Saturday alone, when the state weather agency warned temperatures had topped 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), with dripping humidity in certain parts of the country.
Nearly 8,600 people were taken to the emergency room for heat-related symptoms in the week through Sunday, more than double the previous week, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.
The elderly were particularly vulnerable to the rising temperatures, with nearly half of those taken to hospital aged 65 or older, the agency data showed.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that the mercury was expected to top 35 degrees Celsius again on Tuesday.
Last year, Japan experienced its hottest summer on record, with the mercury hitting a record 41 degrees C (105.8 Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country.
Tens of thousands were taken to hospital suffering from heat-related symptoms.
The archipelago nation regularly experiences sweltering summer temperatures. (AFP)
