02-04-2009, 10:36 PM
By Richard Shears
Last updated at 11:17 AM on 04th February 2009
So many people have died suddenly during a heatwave in Adelaide that the city's morgue is full.
As Britain recovers from its worst snowfall in 18 years, hospital officials in the Australian city are blaming the heat for many of the 71 bodies stored in the mortuary.
The morgue can store up to 72 bodies, but it usually holds no more than 25 at any one time.
All five of the city's forensic scientists and their staff have been working virtually around the clock to determine just how many of the mainly elderly people brought in succumbed to the heatwave when temperatures soared above 40C.
Earlier this week, South Australia's coroner Mr Mark Johns said heat had been identified as a factor in a number of deaths as Adelaide suffered through six consecutive days where the temperature did not drop below 40C.
The South Australian Government has set up a temporary morgue which can hold a further 12 bodies.
Officials said most of the deaths were among the elderly, but postmortems needed to be carried out to establish the exact cause.
'It will not be possible to conclude whether heat was a significant factor in the cause of death until autopsy reports have been provided and further investigations have been carried out,' said Mr Johns.
South Australia's Attorney-General, Mr Michael Atkinson, said that with the morgue almost full, a temporary store had been hired in case of an emergency overflow.
'I can assure families who have recently lost loved ones that the deceased are being treated with great care and dignity and there is no risk to the condition of any bodies.'
After the week-long heatwave, Adelaide enjoyed some relief on Wednesday when the temperature dropped into the low 30s.
But residents have been warned that another 40C day is forecast for Friday.
The hot weather is also heading towards New South Wales and Sydney families have been told to stay out of the sun this weekend.
Warnings have also been issued about the risk of bush fires and a state-wide ban on any open flame outdoors has been ordered.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...eaths.html#
Last updated at 11:17 AM on 04th February 2009
So many people have died suddenly during a heatwave in Adelaide that the city's morgue is full.
As Britain recovers from its worst snowfall in 18 years, hospital officials in the Australian city are blaming the heat for many of the 71 bodies stored in the mortuary.
The morgue can store up to 72 bodies, but it usually holds no more than 25 at any one time.
All five of the city's forensic scientists and their staff have been working virtually around the clock to determine just how many of the mainly elderly people brought in succumbed to the heatwave when temperatures soared above 40C.
Earlier this week, South Australia's coroner Mr Mark Johns said heat had been identified as a factor in a number of deaths as Adelaide suffered through six consecutive days where the temperature did not drop below 40C.
The South Australian Government has set up a temporary morgue which can hold a further 12 bodies.
Officials said most of the deaths were among the elderly, but postmortems needed to be carried out to establish the exact cause.
'It will not be possible to conclude whether heat was a significant factor in the cause of death until autopsy reports have been provided and further investigations have been carried out,' said Mr Johns.
South Australia's Attorney-General, Mr Michael Atkinson, said that with the morgue almost full, a temporary store had been hired in case of an emergency overflow.
'I can assure families who have recently lost loved ones that the deceased are being treated with great care and dignity and there is no risk to the condition of any bodies.'
After the week-long heatwave, Adelaide enjoyed some relief on Wednesday when the temperature dropped into the low 30s.
But residents have been warned that another 40C day is forecast for Friday.
The hot weather is also heading towards New South Wales and Sydney families have been told to stay out of the sun this weekend.
Warnings have also been issued about the risk of bush fires and a state-wide ban on any open flame outdoors has been ordered.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...eaths.html#