21 die in Texas heat wave

DALLAS, July 15: A scorching heat wave across Texas has left 21 dead, officials said today. Two of the deaths in the Dallas area were reported yesterday after five deaths on Sunday, when temperatures reached a record 44 degrees celsius, the third-hottest temperature ever recorded in Dallas.

Another five to seven deaths are being investigated as heat-related, the Dallas county medical examiner8217;s office said today.

Most of those who died were elderly and had other health problems such as heart disease, and all but three were found in dwellings without air conditioning, the medical examiner8217;s office said. The deaths were reminiscent of the heat wave of 1980, when temperatures reached 38 degrees celsius or more for 69 days.