Eight die at US nursing home in aftermath of Irma

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Eight people died at a nursing home in the US state of Florida for possible heat-related reasons after its air conditioning system was knocked out by Hurricane Irma, authorities said Wednesday.

In a press release, the office of the Broward Medical Examiner and Trauma Services confirmed the eight deaths at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills in the east coastal city of Hollywood, located about 32 km north of Miami.

The victims, five women and three men, ranged in age from 71 to 99. The causes of their deaths are yet to be determined, the release said.

Eight people die at a nursing home in Florida, US on September 13, 2017. /CGTN Photo

Local police said investigators believe the deaths were heat-related. The facility has been sealed off for a criminal investigation after 158 patients, sweltering for days, were evacuated to hospitals.

The medical examiner's office said three of the victims were found dead early Wednesday, while the others died either at or on the way to hospitals.

"We believe at this time they may be related to the loss of power in the storm," said Hollywood Police Chief Tomas Sanchez. "We're conducting a criminal investigation, not ruling anything out at this time."

The nursing home confirmed in a statement that it had a "prolonged power failure to the transformer which powered the facility's air conditioning system as a result of the hurricane."

Local reports said the nursing home did have a generator, but it remains unknown whether it was functional.

Eight people die at a nursing home in Florida, US on September 13, 2017. /CGTN Photo

Temperatures reached over 30 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday. Doctors said most of the patients have been treated for respiratory troubles, dehydration and heat-related issues.

Police were also checking 42 assisted living facilities and nursing homes in Hollywood.

Approximately 150 facilities out of nearly 700 nursing homes in Florida have yet to have power services restored, according to the Florida Health Care Association.

Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, has so far killed at least 80 people as it swept through the Caribbean and south Florida.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency