Brazil has recorded its hottest ever temperature - 44.8C (112.6F) - as parts of the country endure a stifling heatwave.
The record was hit on Sunday in the town of Araçuaí, in Brazil's south-eastern state of Minas Gerais.
The unprecedented weather has been attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change.
Forecasters say some of the heat is likely to ease this week.
According to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), only three state capitals will see temperatures approaching 40C, CNN Brasil reported.
The government agency said Araçuaí's high of 44.8C had beaten the country's previous record of 44.7C, measured in 2005.
The heat has seen red alerts issued across the country, a month before the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere. Brazil's energy consumption has soared to record levels as people try to keep themselves cool.
The high temperatures led to Taylor Swift cancelling one of her concerts in Rio de Janeiro after a fan fell ill and died before a show on Friday.
According to the organisers, 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado had sought help at the stadium after feeling unwell. She was transferred to hospital but died one hour later.
Official research released two weeks ago showed that the average temperature in the country had been above the historical average from July to October.
Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense in many places around the world because of climate change.
According to scientists, heatwaves are becoming longer and more intense in many places and this is expected to continue whilst humans keep releasing planet-warming greenhouse gases.
Meanwhile, the Earth is currently in an El Niño weather phase, during which time global temperatures typically increase.
Latest Stories
-
If I speak there will be fire – Salah on Klopp row
28 mins -
Grieving after divorce is normal, but this particular kind of grief isn’t
33 mins -
10 beautifully unexpected ways husbands proposed to their wives
36 mins -
Reality zone with Vicky Wireko: Painting Ghana purple: Be aware, May is month of mental health awareness
42 mins -
Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s integrity is admirable – Inusah Fuseini
55 mins -
Your reign has been a beacon of wisdom – Alan Kyerematen tells Asantehene
56 mins -
Akufo-Addo’s driver wins La Dadekotopon NPP primary
58 mins -
Education Minister must channel resources to rebrand basic public schools into tackling critical needs – Minority
1 hour -
CAFCC: “Dreams need to score early to unsettle Zamalek” – Former Zamalek striker Felix Aboagye
2 hours -
GHS launches mobile app to counter misinformation about vaccines
3 hours -
Election 2024: Care Ghana warns EC of recruiting political actors as Returning Officers
3 hours -
Mohammed Kudus gets 5th Premier League assist as West Ham hold Liverpool
3 hours -
Religious support source of my success – Asantehene
3 hours -
Sierra Leone energy minister resigns over electricity crisis, as power returns to capital
3 hours -
EC accuses Bright Simons, IMANI Africa of peddling falsehood
4 hours