Iran International Airport records 66.7 degrees "temperature unbearable for humans" = Korea coverage

The heat wave in the northern hemisphere is terrifying. Combining reports from foreign media and meteorological authorities around the world on July 18th (local time), Asia, the United States, and southern Europe are seeing new record high temperatures every day, and caution is warranted.

Temperatures soared to 66.7 degrees Celsius at the Persian Gulf International Airport in Bushehr province in southern Iran. This exceeds the level of heat that humans can endure, reported the US daily Washington Post (WP).

The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region lowland region in northern China also set a new record for China on the 16th with a temperature of 52.2 degrees Celsius.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more than 12,000 new record-high temperatures have been reported across the country this year.

In Phoenix, Arizona, USA, the highest temperature exceeded 43 degrees Celsius for 19 days in a row, surpassing the existing record of 18 days.

Europe is no different. In the northeastern part of mainland Spain, Catalonia hit 45 degrees Celsius, breaking the all-time high. Rome, Italy also recorded the highest temperature since the observation at 41.8 degrees.

There was also a red light on the health side. Extreme heat is one of the most dangerous natural disasters identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although it does not cause visible damage like storms or heavy rains, it can lead to a variety of life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke, fainting, convulsions, and dehydration, making it a serious health threat.

More than 61,600 heat-related illnesses died in 35 European countries last year.

In an interview with CNN, a US medical staff member explained the current situation, saying, "Emergency rooms have never been this busy since the peak of the COVID-19 virus."

On the other hand, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts that the heat wave will become even more severe, saying, “North America, Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean Sea will exceed 40 degrees Celsius this week.”

In addition, it said, "Although attention is focused only on the maximum temperature during the day, for people who are particularly vulnerable to heat, high temperatures in the middle of the night are a big health risk. We must accept it and respond positively," he said.