Canada sees record 49.5 degrees, scores dead in gruelling heat wave

Coroners are now gathering information to determine the cause and manner of deaths and whether heat played a role

The Canadian province of British Columbia suffered nearly double the average deaths as temperatures hit a record high of 46.6 degrees C (115.88 degrees F) during the past four days of “extreme heat”, officials said on Tuesday.

At least 233 people died in the West coast province between Friday and Monday, about 100 more than the average for a four-day period, and the number was expected to rise as more reports were filed, officials said.

"Since the onset of the heat wave late last week, the BC Coroners Service has experienced a significant increase in deaths reported where it is suspected that