158 Patients Suspected of Heatwave-Related Emergency Conditions... Three Times More Than Last Year

The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 1st the interim results of the emergency rescue and first aid measures being implemented to protect citizens' safety from the summer heatwave.

According to the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, from May 15, when the emergency rescue and first aid measures were implemented, until the end of last month, 4,632 patrols were conducted through first aid teams returning from dispatch, and during heatwave warnings, fire pump trucks and other equipment were mobilized to conduct on-site inspections of vulnerable areas 3,493 times.

Through this, among a total of 158 suspected heat-related illness patients occurring until the end of August, 114 were urgently transported by 119 first aid teams, and 44 received emergency treatment on site. The occurrence of suspected heat-related illness patients is more than three times higher than the same period last year. By type, heat exhaustion was the most common with 104 cases (65.8%), followed by heat stroke with 24 cases, heat syncope with 15 cases, and heat cramps with 14 cases.

By age group, those aged 60 and over accounted for 90 cases, representing 57% of the total patients. Monthly occurrence was highest in August with 97 cases, followed by July with 48 cases, and June with 13 cases.

A Fire and Disaster Headquarters official stated, “This year, due to record-breaking heatwaves caused by global warming, the number of suspected heat-related illness patients has significantly increased compared to previous years,” and urged, “If heatwave warnings are issued in the future, reduce unnecessary outdoor activities and for outdoor workers, avoid working during heatwave vulnerable hours.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.