Gangwon Province has recorded its first heat-related death of the year as a nationwide heat wave continues.
According to the Gangwon provincial government and fire authorities on the 15th, a report was received the previous afternoon that a 101-year-old woman, identified as A, had collapsed in a field in Gangneung. A was found to have died while being transported to a hospital.
Authorities believe the woman died from a heat-related illness and plan to investigate the exact circumstances of the incident.
The Gangwon provincial government counted A as the first heat-related death in the province this year. A total of 43 people have suffered heat-related illnesses in the province since May 15.
Meanwhile, the Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heat wave warning for the lowlands of Gangneung, Donghae, and Samcheok at 11 a.m. that day. As of 5 p.m., the highest perceived temperatures along the East Coast were around 35 degrees, with 35.5 degrees in Gangneung's Okgye, 35.3 degrees in Sokcho's Joyang, and 35.0 degrees in Samcheok.
