The Mexican Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that at least eight people have succumbed to the severe temperatures experienced in the ongoing heat season in Mexico.
According to the statement, the deaths have been reported in various states – three in Veracruz (east), two in Quintana Roo (southeast), two in Sonora (northwest), and one in Oaxaca (south), all being males.
The causes of death included heat stroke in seven instances and dehydration in one.
So far, three out of the four predicted heatwaves for this year have been recorded by the National Meteorological Service (SMN) of Mexico.
The first heatwave spanned April 1 to April 10, followed by the second from May 3 to May 12. The third heatwave, which commenced on June 1, is expected to persist until June 18 or 20.
Compared to last year, the cases of heat damage have spiked by 72 percent, soaring from 284 to 487, while fatalities have tripled from three in 2022 to eight.
States that have reported the highest number of health issues due to intense heat include Tabasco, Jalisco, Sonora, Quintana Roo, Veracruz, and Yucatan.
The source further added that most of these cases are related to heat stroke, dehydration, and burns.