Deaths of 3 rugby players in Malaysia expose brutal side of heatwave

AI Summary

Three Malaysian rugby players died in quick succession during a local interstate tournament due to extreme heat and humidity, highlighting the dangers posed by rising temperatures in Southeast Asia amid climate change. The incident draws attention to athlete safety and the broader risks of high ambient temperatures for outdoor sports.

The deaths in quick succession of three rugby players in Malaysia have put renewed focus on the risks of competing in extreme heat and humidity, as climate change pushes temperatures higher across Southeast Asia. On May 23, prop Azlan Azhari, playing for Kedah’s state team against Johor in the 2026 Agong Cup, a local interstate tournament, collapsed about five minutes after scoring a try. The 22-year-old was stretchered off the field and taken to hospital where he was placed in an induced coma...