A tragedy caused by stifling heat. A soldier from the National Guard of the United States died Friday August 11 in Mississippi and another was hospitalized with serious symptoms, our colleagues from CNN reported.
The two soldiers were taking part in a physical test at Camp Shelby and had to walk nearly two miles. However, the thermometer showed a temperature close to 38°C which was the cause of their symptoms. The two men were quick to share their difficulties.
Despite rapid treatment, the first soldier died on arrival at the hospital. While the National Guard has not released his identity, it does say he was a member of the Illinois National Guard and was training at Camp Shelby. Monday, the second was still under surveillance, according to the American media.
The entire state was under heightened alert for excessive heat. Hattiesburg, a city in southern Mississippi, for example, broke its temperature record on Friday August 11 and Saturday August 12, reaching 40°C and 40.5°C respectively.
Since the tragedy, the Mississippi National Guard has ordered all of its members in a statement to “cease all collective and individual outdoor physical training” between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. until further notice.