- Reaction score
- 1,680
At least 486 people died suddenly over the past five days during B.C.'s record-breaking heat wave, almost three times the usual number, the provincial coroners service said Wednesday.
Roughly 165 sudden deaths would normally occur in the province over that period. The new tally accounts for deaths between Friday and 1 p.m. PT Wednesday, chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a statement.
"We believe that heat is very likely a factor in many of those deaths, but that is to be confirmed," she said in a briefing.
Lapointe said many of the people who died lived alone and were found in residences that were hot and not ventilated.
She said the 486 number is preliminary and will increase as coroners enter other death reports into the agency's system.
Roughly 165 sudden deaths would normally occur in the province over that period. The new tally accounts for deaths between Friday and 1 p.m. PT Wednesday, chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a statement.
"We believe that heat is very likely a factor in many of those deaths, but that is to be confirmed," she said in a briefing.
Lapointe said many of the people who died lived alone and were found in residences that were hot and not ventilated.
She said the 486 number is preliminary and will increase as coroners enter other death reports into the agency's system.
Last edited by a moderator:
