Egyptian man dies of heatstroke in Kuwait as temps reach over 50°C

Several Gulf countries are currently suffering from a severe heatwave - with scorching temperatures reaching beyond 50°C. 

Earlier this week, the heat resulted in the tragic death of a Kuwait-based Egyptian expat. The man - who worked as a painter - collapsed while working on a building's exterior in the city of Al Surra.

A coroner's report revealed that he passed away due to a heatstroke caused by spending several hours working in direct sunlight.

Kuwaiti authorities have been warning people against spending long hours outdoors, especially during the day. In June, Kuwaiti member of parliament Faisal Al-Kandari submitted a bill demanding a change in the public sector working hours due to the weather conditions. In it, he said daily schedules should be set in the afternoon between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The country has been affected by an unprecedented heatwave this week. Local news outlets reported that the Gulf nation recorded the world's highest temperature on Saturday when temperatures reached over 52°C (in the shade) in the northern region of Mitribah. 

"There should be a law to protect those who work in selling things outdoors, especially those who sell ice cream in the streets. It's unfortunate for them to stand in the sun from 10 in the morning until late afternoon." 

"There's a law stating that no employee should work under the sun in these conditions. No one should be expected to work in this heat especially those who sell ice cream or watermelons on the road. Every time I see them I wonder how they're sitting out in the sun when it's so hot even in the shade." 

Kuwait isn't the only Gulf country to record boiling temperatures. Saudi Arabia and Iraq have also been experiencing a major heatwave in the past week. Temperatures hit 55°C in some Saudi cities, leading people to call on authorities to issue a ban on working in outdoor areas. 

In Iraq, the heat broke yet another world high, as temperatures hit 55.6°C in Misan governorate. From the looks of it, the upcoming summer months are going to be some of the hottest ever experienced in the region. 

The past few summers saw several countries across the region experience unprecedented heatwaves. Weather extremes aren't only limited to drier months. Forecasters have also recorded weather changes during winter in the past two years, with hail storms and snowfall hitting several parts of Saudi Arabia. 

Research conducted in recent years has warned climate change will have severe consequences in the region. 

A study released in 2016 found that hot weather extremes brought on by global climate change could make parts of the Middle East and North Africa uninhabitable by the end of the current century.