As temperatures plummeted to 10° to 12°C (50 to 53.6 F) in all parts north of Tainan, 53 people lost their lives to the bitter cold yesterday. More lives are at risk as an intense cold surge is set to arrive on Saturday.
A major cold surge is set to strike Taiwan, causing the mercury in all points north of central Taiwan to drop down to 6 to 7 degrees (42.8 to 44.6F). During this period, Hehuanshan, Taipingshan, Lalashan, Qixingshan, and Datunshan are all likely to see snowfall.
Central to northern Taiwan will see the mercury plunge to 8 degrees, and open areas could see the temperature drop to as low as one to two degrees (33.8 to 35.6F).
Mountainous areas above 1,000 meters are likely to see snow, including Qixingshan and Datunshan from Saturday until Monday.
“The drop in temperatures can cause an increased likelihood of sudden death,” the article continues.
That’s according to Taiwan News.
I have a hard time believing 10°C weather would kill anyone. So either the temperatures were lower than that, or something additional was going on.