ROMANIA/BULGARIA: Heatwave grills eastern Europe, death toll rises to 30 in Romania

Record ID: 333061

  • Title: ROMANIA/BULGARIA: Heatwave grills eastern Europe, death toll rises to 30 in Romania
  • Date: 27th June 2007
  • Summary: TWO BOYS PLAYING IN A FOUNTAIN
  • Embargoed: 12th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Weather
  • Reuters ID: LVAEQOQK4K6DMQBBFKYRQFSVPLQX
  • Story Text: Romanians and Bulgarians flock to rivers, lakes and pools as a heatwave roasts eastern Europe.
    Four more Romanians have died from a heatwave gripping parts of southeast Europe, health officials said on Tuesday (June 26), raising the region's death toll from the past few days to at least 30.
    All four were elderly people who died of breathing or heart problems brought on by the heat, the health ministry said.
    Temperatures in the Romanian capital Bucharest hit 41 Celsius (106 Fahrenheit), forcing authorities to distribute water to people in the streets and offer medical assistance.
    "I think that since 1945 it wasn't this hot," said one aid worker.
    "People on the streets are faint. We are here to offer a glass of water and medical assistance to passers-by. We are doing our best."
    The heatwave also hit parts of Bulgaria where temperatures peaked in the north of the country near the border with Romania.
    In the Bulgarian capital Sofia, residents tried to cool down in the shade or by swimming in fountains. On Monday (June 25) 16 people collapsed from heat exhaustion.
    "You can sense that this is the hottest day," one Bulgarian pensioner said as he relaxed near Sofia at Pancharevo lake.
    "Look at me, I am scorched by the sun for two days. Yes, this is the hottest day."
    One student said people need to drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration.
    "Beer is OK too," he joked.
    In an attempt to protect the highway infrastructure, Bulgarian authorities have banned vehicles heavier than 20 tonnes from moving on the country's main roads during the daytime, in order to prevent damaging melting tarmac.
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