Heat wave suspected in 16 deaths in B.C., six in Interior

The heat wave that hit B.C. in late July and early August is suspected to have resulted in 16 deaths across the province.

The B.C. Coroners Service said the deaths were recorded between July 26 and Aug. 3, including six from the Interior.

The agency reports there were five deaths recorded across the province on July 29, the highest single day death toll in the 10-day period.

Of the 16 total deaths during the heat wave, six were people between the ages of 70 and 79, and three were between 60 and 69. There were also two deaths of people in their 80s, two in their 50s and two in their 40s. The other death recorded during the heat wave was someone who was over the age of 90.

The Coroners Service could not specify what communities the six deaths in the Interior came from. The Interior had the second highest heat related death toll after Fraser Health, which had eight.

The Coroners Service noted that the data is considered preliminary and subject to change as coroners’ investigations conclude.