Heat wave killed 21 Egyptians on Sunday

Some 21 people have died in Egypt and a further 66 were admitted to hospital on Sunday following the effects of heatstroke and dehydration caused by the increased temperatures in the country.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Egyptian Ministry of Health said 15 of the victims died in Cairo, four in Marsa Matrouh and two in the governorate of Qena. Of those admitted to hospital, 37 were still under observation.

Human rights groups also revealed the deaths of detainees in police custody in Alexandria for unknown reasons. There have been conflicting statements regarding whether their deaths resulted from torture or from the excessive number of detainees in overcrowded police stations, which are at 160 per cent capacity, Human Rights Watch reported.

Since the beginning of August, Egypt has been experiencing a severe heat wave; meteorologists do not expect temperatures to fall before 20 August. Temperatures range from 40-47 degrees Celsius; high levels of humidity have worsened the situation especially for the elderly.