Charmaine Gauci Reveals that 80 People Died Due To Heat Waves In 2023

Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci has warned the Maltese public of the dangers heat waves can have on a person’s health, even revealing the number of casualties related to heat waves which occurred in 2023.

Charmaine Gauci revealed on Saturday that last year’s heatwave in Malta resulted in 80 ‘excess deaths.’ She urged everyone to look out for vulnerable and elderly individuals as temperatures are set to rise in the coming days.

The term ‘Excess deaths’ refer to the number of deaths from all causes during a crisis that exceed what would normally be expected under typical conditions. Notably, no heatwave was recorded from July 24 onwards in 2023.

The Superintendent of Public Health, Charmaine Gauci, responded to questions from Andrew Azzopardi on RTK103 just hours after the Meteorological Office issued a warning about rising temperatures.

This weekend, temperatures are expected to reach 35°C, climbing to 36°C by Tuesday. Throughout the weekend, the temperature is predicted to feel like 38°C, with the heat-stress index expected to reach 41°C by Tuesday.

Prof.Gauci revealed to Andrew Azzopardi that during that same week (week 30 of 2023), 44% of the deaths happened at private residences, meaning the people passed away before medical personnel could help treat them.

#MaltaDaily