Scorching summer heat has sent more than 70,000 people to hospitals across the country over the last three months, far exceeding the previous annual record set in 2013, government data showed Tuesday.
A total of 71,266 people were rushed to hospitals for suspected heatstroke or heat exhaustion between April 30 and Aug. 5, with 138 people dying from heat-related illnesses, according to the data from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The tally has already outstripped the previous all-time high of 58,729, registered between June 1 and Sept. 30 in 2013, with the scorching heat having raised the mercury to unprecedented levels in many areas.