New York: At Least 13 Deaths from Hypothermia Amid Cold Wave

At least 13 people have died in New York City from hypothermia amid a severe cold wave affecting the city. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that these deaths occurred over the past 11 days.

According to Mamdani, 16 New Yorkers died outdoors during the cold wave, and in 13 of these cases, hypothermia appears to have played a decisive role. The remaining three cases are attributed to overdose.

The mayor emphasized that none of the victims were homeless at the time of death, although some had previously contacted shelter services. The city may be experiencing the longest continuous period of sub-zero temperatures in its history.

Municipal authorities have mobilized 20 vehicles with health personnel and have created emergency heating centers to address the situation. City Comptroller Mark Levine estimates that tens of thousands of New Yorkers are homeless, with 95% residing in municipal shelters.

According to official data, cold-related deaths in New York ranged between 9 and 27 annually between 2005 and 2021, but increased to 34 in 2021 and 54 in 2022.