Mexican health officials have confirmed at least 112 deaths attributed to extreme heat in 2023, a stark contrast to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's earlier dismissal of such reports. This alarming figure, revealed in a recent report, highlights the severity of the recent heatwave impacting the nation.
The report indicates a dramatic surge in heat-related fatalities, especially in the latter half of June. The total number of deaths this year is nearly three times the count from 2022. Notably, during the week of June 18-24, a record 69 deaths were recorded nationwide, a grim testament to the intense heat. Temperatures in certain regions of Mexico have soared beyond 105 degrees Fahrenheit in recent weeks.
The state of Nuevo Leon, home to the industrial city of Monterrey, has unfortunately witnessed the highest number of fatalities due to heatstroke and dehydration. The Health Department typically releases weekly reports on heat-related deaths, but a report was notably absent during a week in June at the peak of the heatwave, raising questions about the timing.
A person finds refuge from the scorching sun under an umbrella in Chapultepec Park, Mexico City, on June 13, 2023. This year's heat-related deaths have almost tripled the figures from the previous year. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
President López Obrador had previously downplayed the reports of heat-related deaths, labeling them as sensationalist and part of a campaign targeting his administration. He cited outdated, lower figures to support his claim. However, the official report now contradicts his assertions.
The high death toll is believed to be a consequence of both the extreme temperatures and a delayed start to the usual monsoon season, which typically brings cooler weather to Mexico by mid-June. The Health Department has yet to comment on the delayed reporting of these fatalities. The president's suggestion that the deaths are a politically motivated issue remains unclear, though it may stem from media reports linking some of the deaths to power outages in the victims' homes. President López Obrador is a known advocate for the state-owned power company.
