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SPOT THE WATER

Tens of thousands descend on China’s packed beaches and swimming pools to soak up the sun amid scorching heatwave

The country is in the grip of a blistering heatwave that saw the mercury hit 40C at the weekend

TENS of thousands of people have flocked to China's overcrowded pools and beaches after the mercury hit 40C at the weekend.

The heatwave has seen the country's busy beaches pushed to breaking point as the masses search for respite from the blazing hot weather.

 More than 6,000 people pile into a swimming pool in Suining, China
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More than 6,000 people pile into a swimming pool in Suining, ChinaCredit: Alamy
 The pool was so full it was difficult to even see the water from above
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The pool was so full it was difficult to even see the water from aboveCredit: Alamy
 The temperature has hit 40C in many parts of the country
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The temperature has hit 40C in many parts of the countryCredit: Alamy
 Thousands of people crowd a beach in Dalian city, in eastern China yesterday
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Thousands of people crowd a beach in Dalian city, in eastern China yesterdayCredit: Rex Features
 The notoriously crowded beaches were even more full than normal yesterday
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 The notoriously crowded beaches were even more full than normal yesterdayCredit: Rex Features
 China was subjected to a scorching heat wave over the weekend
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China was subjected to a scorching heat wave over the weekendCredit: Rex Features
 Temperatures at the weekend in China hit 40C, forecasters said
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Temperatures at the weekend in China hit 40C, forecasters saidCredit: Rex Features
 Dozens of beachgoers floated in the refreshing water on lilos
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Dozens of beachgoers floated in the refreshing water on lilosCredit: Rex Features
 The shot from above reveals the vast numbers of people clamouring for space on the sand
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The shot from above reveals the vast numbers of people clamouring for space on the sandCredit: Rex Features
 A man vying with huge crowds tries to position his lilo in the water
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A man vying with huge crowds tries to position his lilo in the waterCredit: Rex Features
 Beachgoers used the water to cool off while also keeping their t-shirts and jumpers on to shade themselves from the sun
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Beachgoers used the water to cool off while also keeping their t-shirts and jumpers on to shade themselves from the sunCredit: Rex Features

Authorities have also issued weather alerts warning locals - and particularly the elderly - to avoid outdoor activity, local media reported.

Its meteorological centre said the young, old and ill should avoid all outdoor activity around noon.

The centre also warned local authorities to take precautions against fires that may be triggered by excessive power loads caused by air conditioner use.

Photographs showed the chaotic and crowded scenes which unfolded in Dalian, in the country's east, yesterday.

Remarkably, even animals are showing signs of overheating and exhaustion.

A herd of water buffalo were photographed dragging themselves into mud pools in China in a bid to cool themselves off.

The large beasts looked almost camouflaged after covering themselves from head to toe.

 Hundreds of passengers were trapped in boiling-hot carriages under sweltering temperatures of up to 40C on a train which had left Beijing
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Hundreds of passengers were trapped in boiling-hot carriages under sweltering temperatures of up to 40C on a train which had left BeijingCredit: CEN
 The high-speed train became stranded without water or electricity.
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The high-speed train became stranded without water or electricity.Credit: CEN
 The travellers were unable to open the carriage doors as they baked under the mid-day sun after the train’s air-conditioning system went down during the power failure
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The travellers were unable to open the carriage doors as they baked under the mid-day sun after the train’s air-conditioning system went down during the power failureCredit: CEN
 The train had left the Chinese capital Beijing towards Shenzhen City’s North Railway Station, in South China’s Guangdong Province
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The train had left the Chinese capital Beijing towards Shenzhen City’s North Railway Station, in South China’s Guangdong ProvinceCredit: CEN
 Reports say the passengers began to develop symptoms of heatstroke and had to wait two hours before the train became operational again
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Reports say the passengers began to develop symptoms of heatstroke and had to wait two hours before the train became operational againCredit: CEN
 Even buffalo tried to go for a swim to cool off in the scorching temperatures
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Even buffalo tried to go for a swim to cool off in the scorching temperaturesCredit: Splash News
 The animals looked rather unimpressed in the uncomfortable heatwave
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The animals looked rather unimpressed in the uncomfortable heatwaveCredit: Splash News
 They desperately resorted to climbing into mud to try and escape the heat
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They desperately resorted to climbing into mud to try and escape the heatCredit: Splash News
 China's heatwave has sent both humans and animals in search of water
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China's heatwave has sent both humans and animals in search of waterCredit: Splash News

Meanwhile, hundreds of passengers were trapped in sweltering carriages after a high-speed train became stranded without water or electricity.

The travellers were unable to open the carriage doors, reports said, and they baked in the carriages under the mid-day sun.

Their situation was worsened after the train’s air-conditioning system stopped working due to the power outage.

According to reports, it was not until 2pm - around two hours after they had broken down - that the train was operational once more, taking the travellers to their destination.

According to officials at China Railway High-speed, the malfunction was caused by the collapse of a 220 kilovolt cable on the tracks.


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