Heat wave claims 26 lives in Pakistan

A scorching heat wave in Pakistan has killed 26 people in central Punjab province, where the temperature has soared to 48 degrees Celsius.

A scorching heat wave in Pakistan has killed 26 people in central Punjab province, where the temperature has soared to 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit), a health ministry official said on Sunday.

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"At least 26 people have died in Punjab over the past two days," the official said, requesting anonymity.

Six died in the provincial capital Lahore alone, where the mercury hit 48C, he said, adding that dozens of others were admitted to hospital after fainting due to heatstroke.

Another six people, including a woman and three children, died in the nearby town of Okara and four in Sargodha, he said, adding that other casualties were reported elsewhere.

The meteorological department has forecast hot and dry weather for the coming week.

A heat wave in Pakistan last year claimed more than 80 lives while a sizzling summer in 2003 killed more than 230 people.