A record-breaking heatwave sweeping across East Asia has led to the deaths of three lionesses at a Tokyo zoo due to suspected heatstroke. The extreme temperatures have also strained health systems and affected thousands of people in the region.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung declared a national setback in response to the heatwave and urged officials during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to support those most affected and to inspect power systems amid rising air conditioning demand.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported that the heatwave has caused 19 deaths in South Korea, including 13 individuals aged 80 or above. Since May 15, over 2,025 people have suffered heat-related illnesses nationwide. South Korea has broken its heat record three times in the past week, with the highest temperature reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius (108.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in Yangsan, marking the highest in 122 years of weather observations.

In Japan, nearly 18,600 people were hospitalized for heatstroke between July 20 and 26, with 45 pronounced dead on arrival, according to the country's fire and disaster management agency.

President Lee expressed concern that abnormal weather conditions are likely to continue for an extended period and called for a major redesign of the disaster response system to better handle such hazardous conditions.

The heatwave is also impacting Europe, where heatwaves and wildfires are altering life across the continent.

Sources