Two Deaths in Three Days While Working in the Fields
Body Temperatures Soared to 41 Degrees
Outdoor Work Continued Despite Heatwave Warnings
Cause of Death Presumed to Be Heatstroke
Urgent Need for Emergency Response System for Elderly Farmers in Uiseong County
In Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, a series of fatal accidents involving women in their 90s who were working in fields during an ongoing heatwave has shocked the local community.
It is presumed that the cause of death was heat-related illness such as heatstroke, with body temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius at the time of death. There are growing calls for an effective emergency response system tailored to elderly populations in rural areas.
According to the Uiseong Fire Station, at around 12:41 p.m. on July 4, a resident discovered a woman in her 90s, referred to as Ms. A, collapsed in a field near a house in Gaeum-myeon, Uiseong County, and reported it to emergency services.
When paramedics arrived, Ms. A was found in cardiac arrest. Despite attempts at emergency resuscitation, including CPR and the use of a defibrillator at the scene, she was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. At the time, her body temperature had reached 41 degrees Celsius, leading fire authorities to strongly suspect severe heat-related illness such as heatstroke as the cause.
A similar incident occurred just two days earlier, at around 6:50 p.m. on July 2. In a field in Daeri-ri, Geumseong-myeon, another woman in her 90s, referred to as Ms. B, was found collapsed by a passerby, who immediately called for help. However, rigor mortis had already set in, and her body temperature had reached 39 degrees Celsius. Ms. B was also pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
Both incidents occurred during periods when heatwave warnings were in effect. Police and fire authorities are currently investigating the exact causes of death.
In recent days, daytime temperatures in Uiseong County have soared to around 35 degrees Celsius, with the perceived temperature exceeding 37 degrees. The ongoing hot and humid conditions pose particularly dangerous risks for the elderly.
A fire department official stated, "During heatwave advisories, especially those aged 65 and older should refrain from outdoor activities and ensure adequate hydration and rest in the shade. In light of these incidents, there is a need for safety management measures specifically targeting elderly farmers at the township and village level."
In fact, nearly 40 percent of the total population of Uiseong County is aged 65 or older, making it a representative example of an aging rural area. Especially during the summer, outdoor work such as field labor, which is physically demanding, is often unavoidable. As a result, there are increasing calls both within and outside the region for a systematic response to heatwaves.
An official from Uiseong County stated, "To prevent safety accidents among the elderly during the summer, we plan to strengthen monitoring through village heads and Saemaeul leaders. We are also providing separate safety guidelines for senior job participants and elderly people living alone."
Meanwhile, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, there are about 20 to 30 deaths from heat-related illnesses each year, with most victims being aged 70 or older. During the months of July and August, when heatwaves are most severe, it is recommended to avoid outdoor activities between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., when ultraviolet rays and temperatures are at their peak.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
