30 die of heatstroke in Thailand

A total of 30 people have died from heatstroke in Thailand.

Bangkok issued an extreme heat warning as the heat index was expected to rise above 52 degrees Celsius on Thursday (April 25).

The health ministry said the deaths occurred between January 1 and April 17, compared with 37 in the whole of 2023. 

Temperatures in the concrete sprawl of the Thai capital hit 40.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and similar levels were forecast for Thursday. 

April is typically the hottest time of the year in Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern.