Heat Wave in Greece Blamed for 700 Deaths

Greece on Sunday sweltered through the eighth day of a heat wave that hospital officials say has killed more than 700 people.

The government declared a state of emergency and advised people to avoid the sun and take plenty of water and salt to prevent dehydration as temperatures reached 111 degrees.

More than 1,500 people have been admitted to hospitals with heat-related problems, hospital officials reported.

“Most people who died were elderly heart and respiratory cases,” George Kalatzis, a doctor in an Athens hospital, said..

“Most hospitals lack air conditioning, and this makes things worse,” he added.

The weather service said temperatures are expected to fall gradually over the next few days but remain at relatively high levels.

“I cannot understand what tourists find in our weather,” an Athenian told reporters. “If this continues, we will all emigrate.”