Tuesday, July 29, 2025
ADVT 
National

Heat contributes to 719 deaths in just over a week in BC, 3 times the actual number of deaths that would take place in a week

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jul, 2021 05:02 PM
  • Heat contributes to 719 deaths in just over a week in BC, 3 times the actual number of deaths that would take place in a week

British Columbia's chief coroner says 719 sudden and unexpected deaths have been reported in the province during the historic heat wave, and that number over a seven-day period is unprecedented.

Lisa Lapointe says the number of fatalities is three times more than what would normally occur during the same period.

She says the extreme weather is believed to be a significant contributing factor in the jump in deaths, but the number is expected to increase as more information is compiled.

Lapointe has said extra coroners have been working in the field and many of the people who were found dead were elderly and living alone without air conditioning.

Lytton set a Canadian heat record this week for the third day in a row, reaching 49.6 C the day before residents were ordered to evacuate within minutes due to a raging out-of-control wildfire.

Lapointe has said that while some parts of the province typically experience high temperatures during summer, those living in urban areas were caught unprepared when the mercury topped 30 C in Vancouver, for example, before returning to more typical weather.

"Today, the coroners service is seeing a downward trend from the number of deaths reported over the past few days, and we are hopeful this trend will continue," she said Friday.

"Whenever possible, people are encouraged to visit cooler environments such as cooling centres, malls, libraries and other air-conditioned community spaces for essential respite from the effects of severe heat."

MORE National ARTICLES

87 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

87 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
There have been 87 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 147,271 cases in British Columbia. The rolling 7 day average is now 86. That is the lowest since August 30. Cases by health authority Coastal 13, Fraser - 30, Island - 3, Interior, 41 Northern -0. 

87 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

Federal politicians grapple with Canada Day

Federal politicians grapple with Canada Day
Federal politicians are grappling with the country's legacy of residential schools as July 1 approaches, with the Conservative leader railing against calls to cancel Canada Day while Liberal ministers say it will be a time for reflection.

Federal politicians grapple with Canada Day

Canada's 2030 climate goal tough to achieve: PBO

Canada's 2030 climate goal tough to achieve: PBO
A new report released from Canada's parliamentary budget officer Wednesday says the speed at which change needs to happen for how people drive and heat buildings will make it tough for the Liberal government to achieve its latest climate goal.

Canada's 2030 climate goal tough to achieve: PBO

Park use in Canada soared during COVID-19: survey

Park use in Canada soared during COVID-19: survey
The survey by charity organization Park People found that two-thirds of the 3,500 respondents it surveyed reported having spent more time in parks during the pandemic, while almost 40 per cent said their use of parks had doubled.

Park use in Canada soared during COVID-19: survey

Parents of murdered teen address B.C. court

Parents of murdered teen address B.C. court
The father of a 13-year-old girl who was murdered at a high school in Abbotsford, B.C., says he doubts the killer will receive a fit sentence for the damage caused to his family by her death.

Parents of murdered teen address B.C. court

Well-known climate activists join UBC faculty

Well-known climate activists join UBC faculty
The University of British Columbia says climate activists and journalists Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis are joining its faculty in the department of geography. A statement from the university says Klein has been named the inaugural Faculty of Arts Chair in Climate Justice and starts her new role in September.

Well-known climate activists join UBC faculty