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New Jersey Heatwave Claims 19 Lives Amid Record Temperatures
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

New Jersey Heatwave Claims 19 Lives Amid Record Temperatures

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • At least 19 deaths in New Jersey are suspected to be heat-related amid a prolonged heatwave.
  • Officials noted many victims lacked air conditioning and were found in various locations, including homes, outdoors, and parked vehicles.
  • The heatwave affects millions across the U.S., with authorities urging residents to take precautions and stay hydrated.

New Jersey is grappling with a severe heatwave, which has led to at least 19 suspected heat-related deaths across the state. Health Commissioner Reinald Washington confirmed the grim toll, stating that many of the victims were found in homes without air conditioning, outdoors, or in parked cars.

We now have 19 deaths that are suspected to be heat-related across the state.

— Reinald WashingtonNew Jersey Health Commissioner Reinald Washington confirmed the number of suspected heat-related deaths during a press conference.

The extreme temperatures have prompted widespread warnings from the National Weather Service, with around 160 million people in the U.S. living in areas under heat advisories. Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, check on neighbors, drink plenty of water, and seek out air-conditioned spaces.

Unfortunately, many of these individuals were in residences without air conditioning, some outside their homes, some on the street, and some inside parked vehicles.

— Reinald WashingtonNew Jersey Health Commissioner Reinald Washington described the circumstances in which victims were found.

Governor Miki Sherrill described the conditions as "extreme and dangerous," noting this is the most intense heat period in over 14 years. The article also links the intensified heatwaves globally to climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, citing the recent European heatwave as a prime example.

These weather conditions are extreme and dangerous (...) this is the most intense heat period we have experienced in over 14 years.

— Miki SherrillNew Jersey Governor Miki Sherrill warned about the severity of the heatwave.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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