Death toll from Canada heatwave hits 70

A heat wave in Quebec in eastern Canada has now been blamed for 70 deaths, officials have said.

Thirty four of the fatalities were recorded in Montreal, the provincial health ministry told AFP.

Previously, the toll was 54 dead.

The heat wave has hit eastern Canada since early July, but only Quebec has recorded a rise in deaths linked to the scorching temperatures.

In 2010, around 100 people in the Montreal area died because of stifling heat.

(Source: AFP)