Deadly heat wave kills 33 across southern Quebec
Montreal children cool off at a water fountain in the midst of a deadly heat wave
Thirty-three people were killed in a heatwave that has torched the southern Canadian province of Quebec, officials said.
The weather was very hot starting last Friday with temperatures reaching 35C (95F) and high humidity.
The death toll has risen every day this week, with most victims aged between 50 and 80.
The heat wave is the worst in the province in decades, officials said.
Officials urged people to drink plenty of water and stay in the shade.
"We did everything we could," said Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante.
The city has opened swimming pools and air-conditioned rooms to the public.
Mayor Plante said the first responders had gone door-to-door, examining about 15,000 vulnerable citizens.
So far, 18 of 33 deaths have been in Montreal, the most populous city in the province, with other deaths in the surrounding area.
"I'm relying on Montreal to knock on the door, maybe from the neighbors, just to find out if that person is okay.This is a team effort," said Mayor Plante.
Heat waves can be deadly to very young, very old and weak, public health officials say.
Montreal public health official Mylene Drouin told CBC that most Montreal people who died aged over 65, had no air conditioning and had previous health problems.
The average temperature in Montreal is well above the usual 25C at this time of year.
The heat should be broken Friday, according to Environment Canada, with the altitude down to 24C.