Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/01/24
By: Cheng Chi-fong, Kuo Chu-chen, Kuo Chung-han and Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, Jan. 24 (CNA) A king-size cold spell had taken a toll of at least 52 lives in Taiwan as of Sunday afternoon, including 16 deaths reported in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.

A total of 16 people were rushed to hospitals in the city since Jan. 22, all of whom showed no signs of life upon arrival, officials of the Fire Bureau of the Kaohsiung city government said Sunday.

The 16 deaths were mostly caused by the onset of cardiovascular diseases as the mercury dipped suddenly, the officials said, noting that the victims were aged between 65 and 93.

Since Saturday, 36 deaths had been reported in Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan in northern Taiwan. The relevant authorities attributed the deaths to hypothermia or cardiovascular diseases as the temperature fell to 4 degrees Celsius in most part of northern Taiwan Sunday.     [FULL  STORY]