At least 20 Southwest Airlines flight attendants have sustained injuries this summer while trying to open beverages, according to The Washington Post.
The report notes that the airline doesn’t use refrigerated trucks since it doesn’t serve meals or perishable food, leading to beverages being stored inside airports. A Southwest Airlines spokesperson confirmed the issue to Business Insider, attributing it to the scorching temperatures across the United States.
“We’re aware of the issue and have been taking steps to keep onboard beverages cooler, especially in our airports experiencing extreme temperatures,” a statement read. “It’s a cross-functional effort between our airport teams and those in the air.”
Airports in locations with high temperatures, such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and many in Texas, are experiencing record heat. “For the safety of our employees and customers, we are taking education and mitigation measures on all heat-related hazards,” the statement continued.
This summer, parts of the world have been engulfed by extreme heat. Climate scientists have identified 2023 as the hottest year on record since 1850, with 2024 potentially following suit.
In May, up to 85 howler monkeys in Tabasco dropped dead from trees due to a heat wave in southeast Mexico. June saw wildfires on the Greek island of Cyprus following extreme temperatures.
Italy also faced soaring temperatures this month, prompting the health ministry to place 12 cities under its most intense heat warning, according to NPR.
In the United States, the heat has worsened post-Hurricane Beryl conditions in Texas. The Weather Channel reported that at least six people in the Houston area have died due to rising temperatures, with the death toll expected to rise. CenterPoint Energy, the primary energy provider in Houston, reported that more than 2 million customers lost power following the hurricane.
