Prognosis
British Columbia Death Rate Nearly Triples as Heat Busts Records
- At least 486 sudden fatalities occur over five-day period
- Safety Minister says climate change may make this repeat event
Beachgoers on Kitsilano Beach cool off during this week’s heatwave in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,
Photographer: Trevor Hagan/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A historic heat wave in western Canada is believed to have led to a sharp spike of deaths in British Columbia, with the toll expected to climb further.
The 486 sudden deaths are nearly triple the 165 that would normally occur in the province over a five-day period, according to the B.C. Coroners Service. The number is preliminary and is expected to rise as more records are entered into the system.