‘Never seen anything like this’: 100s dead amid Canada heat wave

Record heat believed to have contributed to more than 233 sudden deaths in British Columbia since Friday, officials say.

Authorities say more than 200 people have died in Canada’s westernmost province since Friday, as record-breaking temperatures raise serious concerns for vulnerable groups, including the elderly. British Columbia’s chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said on Tuesday that the British Columbia (BC) Coroners Service received at least 233 reports of deaths between Friday and Monday afternoon – a total she said was expected to increase as more information becomes available. Lapointe said the coroners’ service typically receives 130 reports of death over a four-day period.