MONITORING DESK

KARACHI: At least 65 people have died in different areas of Karachi from heatstroke during three days, Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation said on Monday.

Aaj News reported that sweltering weather was the reason behind the deaths as 114 bodies were brought to the Edhi Foundation's morgues in Korangi and Sohrab Goth areas during last three days, out of which at least 65 had died from heatstroke and many of them were residents of Landhi and Korangi

Faisal Edhi said the most of the heatstroke victims had lost their lives at their houses and they included 6-year-old to 78-year-old people. They could not get medical help on time and died.

Faisal said that the morgue in Korangi receives around 10-11 bodies per day. However, since Saturday evening, 34 bodies were brought to the morgue in Korangi while Sohrab Goth cold storage had received 30 bodies.

Attempts to independently verify Faisal Edhi's claims proved inconclusive, as some of the families who lost their loved ones attributed the deaths to pre-existing ailments or other causes while hospital chose to parry questions.

Over 40 degree Celsius is expected to persist in Karachi until May 23 as the city continues to scorch engendering heat-wave. The Met issued an alert for the city on Sunday, saying that hot-to-very hot weather is likely to prevail in Karachi that suffers due to maximum temperature of 44°C.

Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar urged Karachiites to stay indoor during the day to avoid heatstroke.