At least 21 people have died within a day in the extremely high heat in Morocco, confirms the health department in the country.
In parts of the country, the temperature reached 48 degrees during the period from Monday to Wednesday, writes AFP.
The deaths occurred in the city of Béni Mellal, which is located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains in northern Morocco. Most of the victims were people who suffered from chronic diseases and the elderly, and the heat contributed to their health deteriorating, according to a statement from regional authorities in the area.
The healthcare system is on high alert in the regions that have been hardest hit by the heat, reports the online newspaper Morocco World News.
The health department is also urging people to drink water and stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day, and to seek medical care if needed.
Morocco has been affected by drought and new heat records have been set over the past six years. January was the warmest in the country since 1940 with temperatures of up to 37 degrees. Last year, a new heat record was set with 50.4 degrees in Agadir in August.
