Record Russian heat wave sees 1,600 drown

RUSSIANS sweltered yesterday in the hottest weather in decades as the number of drowning deaths since the start of the heat wave topped 1,600.

Yesterday was expected to break a record in Moscow, topping 33C, the highest temperature that day since 1938, according to the state weather centre. Over the weekend, the temperature is forecast by the state weather centre to hit 37Cs in central Russia.

As many cooled down by swimming in rivers and ponds, often with no lifeguards, hundreds have died from drowning, often in alcohol-related accidents.