At least 24 die as extreme heatwave sweeps across US

At least 24 people have died as a prolonged, climate-driven heatwave continues to grip large parts of the United States, with millions remaining under extreme heat warnings following the Independence Day holiday.

A powerful heat dome has pushed temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) across more than 20 states, while over 140 million people remained under active heat alerts on July 5, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), The Guardian reports.

New Jersey has recorded the highest death toll, with state officials saying extreme heat is believed to have contributed to the deaths of 22 people across 10 counties, most of them in central and northern parts of the state. Many of the victims were found in homes without air conditioning, outside their residences, on streets or inside parked vehicles. The first deaths were reported on July 2, with most victims ranging in age from their 30s to their 80s. Authorities said the state's chief medical examiner will determine the final cause of each death.

“This is not a typical summer heatwave,” the New Jersey Department of Public Health said in a statement. “This type of heat can quickly become life-threatening to humans and to animals of all ages.”

The National Weather Service said cooler air moving south from Canada is expected to bring some relief to parts of the eastern United States in the coming days, including New Jersey.

Elsewhere, Cook County, Illinois, reported one heat-related death. Officials said the cause was organic cardiovascular disease, with heat stress listed as a contributing factor.

In Mississippi, authorities confirmed that 74-year-old Mitchell Ray Cooley died from heat exposure after he was reported missing on July 2. His body was found the following day behind a gas station.

“Mr Cooley suffered from a medical condition that impaired his judgment,” the Hinds County Coroner's Office said. “Based on the investigative findings, scene examination, and subsequent evaluation, the cause of death has been determined to be weather-related heat exposure. At this time, there is no indication of foul play.”

By Sabina Mammadli