At least two people died and 76 others were treated for heat-related illnesses in South Korea on July 29 [1].
The surge in emergency room visits highlights the vulnerability of the elderly and outdoor workers during a prolonged period of extreme temperatures.
Health officials said that 76 people suffered from heat-related conditions on Wednesday [1]. This marks the fifth consecutive day that the number of patients taken to emergency rooms has exceeded 70 [1]. The total number of heat-illness cases recorded this summer has reached 1,638 [1].
Among the casualties were a 90-year-old woman in North Jeolla Province and an 80-year-old man in North Gyeongsang Province [1, 2]. While YTN News reported two deaths on Wednesday, another report indicated three deaths [1, 2]. The total number of deaths attributed to heat this summer is 12 [1].
Medical professionals said that the illnesses primarily include heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat cramps. Data shows that 80.1% of the affected patients were found outdoors [1].
"People continue to collapse due to the heat wave," said reporter Lee Moon-seok [1].
To prevent these conditions, Lee said that the public must remember three key precautions: water, shade, and rest [1]. The current weather patterns have created a "steamer-like" heat that has led to a continuous stream of patients in medical facilities, YTN said [1].
“80.1% of the affected patients were found outdoors.”
The concentration of cases among the elderly and the high percentage of outdoor victims suggest that South Korea's current heat wave is disproportionately affecting those with limited access to climate-controlled environments or those performing physical labor. The consistent daily threshold of over 70 emergency admissions indicates a systemic public health strain rather than isolated incidents.
