TOKYO, July 23 (Reuters) - The temperature rose to a record 41.1 Celsius (106 Fahrenheit) in a city northwest of Tokyo on Monday, as a heat wave in Japan that has killed at least 23 people and sent thousands to hospital showed no sign of significant easing. The temperature was recorded in Kumagaya, in Saitama prefecture, topping the previous high of 41C in the western prefecture of Kochi in August 2013, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Media reports say at least 11 more died this past Saturday alone, while thousands have been taken to the hospital. Among the dead was a primary school boy who collapsed after a field trip to a park 20 minutes’ walk from his school. With the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020, concern has risen about the safety of athletes and spectators.

Source: Huffington Post July 23, 2018 07:30 UTC