Lingering heat wave in Japan leaves 19 dead, 9,800 in hospital

TOKYO, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- At least 19 people are dead and 9,800 hospitalized in Japan as a heat wave drove temperatures to record levels, officials said.

The southern city of Shimanto recorded a 104 degree temperature for a record fourth day, Jiji Press reported Wednesday. By 4 p.m. Tuesday, 650 of 927 observation points had recorded temperatures of 86 degrees or higher.

A 53-year-old woman was found dead Tuesday at the entrance to her home in Kobe and her 56-year-old sister was found dead inside. Police believe they died of heatstroke, the report said.

In the week ending Aug. 11, Fire and Disaster Management officials said 9,815 people across the country had been hospitalized for treatment of heatstroke, and 17 had died.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the oppressive weather was caused by a high pressure system near the southernmost island of Kyushu. The agency issued special heat wave warnings for most of the country.  UPI