Moscow heat causing 71 drowning deaths in one day

[ensho]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/europe/2010/07/21/russians-dying-dip

Russians dying for a dip


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Moscow is reaching boiling point. It’s hotter here than many African resorts causing asphalt to melt and sales of ice cream and air conditioners to rocket.

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Park fountains are now open-air plunge pools for hoards of red-faced teens, “NO SWIMMING” signs on the banks of the murky Moscow River are ignored by hundreds in search of a quick dip.

On Tuesday 71 people in Russia drowned on a single day, many jumping into rivers and lakes well under the influence. Almost 2500 people have drowned this year, 1244 of them in June. Health experts have warned Russians to steer clear of alcohol in favour of cold showers and green tea. The advice doesn’t seem to be catching on.

Elsewhere in the country several Russian regions have declared a state of emergency after the worst drought in living memory. In Saratov bordering Kazakhstan temperatures in excess of 50 degrees centigrade have wiped out a third of the wheat harvest. The government’s busy dishing out loans and subsidies to help worst affected areas. The price of food is already starting to go the same way as the temperature.
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taxi drivers with AC are charging more

after the drowning deaths the worst news is the failed food crop and drought

climate change is so much fun

[AmericaIsGreat]

1. As a Russian I'm constantly embarrassed by that country

Sure, I feel bad for the deaths but the vast majority are not drowning because they can't swim, they are drowning because they are heavily intoxicated. I am so glad I left that place. Russians are incapable of doing anything without being drunk. The common person is drunk, the military is drunk, the government and police are drunk. It's sad and pathetic.

[ensho]

2. it is sad and a huge problem for Russia

at the rate our young people are becoming alcoholics we will catch up with Russia soon

[YOY]

3. Zhal. Veryatno...

n.t.