A heat wave that swept across Egypt has caused the deaths of 21 elderly people, while 66 people suffered heat exhaustion.
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In a statement issued yesterday, the Egyptian Ministry of Health said 15 of the victims died in Cairo, four in Marsa Matrouh and two in the governorate of Qena.
Fifteen other patients were transferred to other hospitals in light of the heat, the official said. Those who died, together with seven ladies, have been all aged over 60.
Sixty-six people were admitted to hospital after suffering from exhaustion, including 37 who are still under observation.
Rise in physique temperature, redness of face and dry pores and skin, irritation of the attention, complications and muscular contractions, dizziness and vomiting are amongst sunstroke signs listed by the ministry.
The temperature reached 45 degrees Celsius in the Upper Egypt governorates on Saturday, according to the Egyptian Meteorological Authority. “Long exposure under the sun is a killer”.
Meteorological officials confirmed temperatures in the capital and some parts of the country were higher than average.
“The peak temperature in the shade was 38 degrees Celsius in Cairo on Sunday, which means it was 47 degrees under the sun or in places with bad ventilation”.
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“The heatwave hitting the country is brought by the seasonal Indian Depression as it comes from India and passes through the Arabian Peninsula, which are both too hot regions during this time of the year, and so it leads to considerable high temperature and moisture to some regional states including Egypt”, Saudi explained.
