Death Valley draws tourists despite deadly US heat wave

In Death Valley National Park, a dangerous heat wave has not deterred hundreds of European tourists and adventurers from exploring the desolate region, despite the extreme temperatures. The park, known as one of the hottest places on Earth, saw a tragic incident over the weekend when a motorcyclist died from heat exposure. Visitors from France, Spain, England, and Switzerland braved the scorching heat to capture the unique landscape, likening it to walking on Mars. The heat wave has affected over 146 million people across the U.S., with multiple heat-related deaths reported in Oregon and record-breaking temperatures in Portland. In eastern California's Death Valley, temperatures soared to 128 F (53.3 C) over the weekend, leading to the tragic death of a visitor due to heat exposure. The region holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth, with experts disputing the accuracy of the previous record set in 1913. The National Weather Service issued high temperature warnings, including in normally cooler areas like Lake Tahoe, where records were broken for consecutive days. South Lake Tahoe experienced unprecedented highs, with temperatures reaching 106 F (41.1 C) on Monday, attracting crowds to the beaches around the lake. The heat wave extended into higher elevations, posing significant health risks even in mountainous regions. Phoenix was forecasted to reach a high of 117 F (47.2 C), while Reno, Nevada, warned of major heat impacts in the mountains. Despite the extreme conditions, visitors continued to flock to popular spots like Sand Harbor State Park, where record highs were set, surpassing previous temperature records. The relentless heat wave has gripped the Western states, prompting authorities to issue advisories and urge caution to prevent further heat-related incidents.