“The majority of deaths concern people suffering from chronic illnesses and the elderly,” the regional health department said.
Deadly heat. Twenty-one people died in 24 hours in the agglomeration of Beni Mellal, in central Morocco, due to a new heat wave that hit the country, in the grip of its sixth consecutive year of drought, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday, July 25. The General Directorate of Meteorology had warned of a strong heat wave from Monday to Wednesday in several localities, with temperatures reaching 48°C, particularly in Beni Mellal.
“The majority of deaths are among people with chronic diseases and the elderly, as high temperatures have contributed to the deterioration of their health and led to their deaths,” the regional health department said. The ministry was not immediately able to say whether this was the highest death toll recorded after a heatwave in the country.
In this city located more than 200 km southeast of Casablanca, the thermometer still shows around 43°C on Thursday. The Ministry of Health has announced measures to counter the effects of the heat, including establishing “permanent shifts in health establishments in regions affected by rising temperatures”, in addition to the mobilization of health professionals and “the provision of medicines and hospital equipment”.
