CAPTION ONLY: HEAT WAVE SEARS AUSTRALIA

Youngsters cool off at a beach in Sydney as a heat wave sweeps Australia. Temperatures as high as 113 degrees have killed nine people, left 12 in critical condition in hospitals and caused scores more to collapse. Hospital officials said the cause of death was extreme heat exhaustion and dehydration. Adelaide recorded a top temperature of 107 degrees Wednesday, the fifth day in a row of soaring temperatures. The extreme heat in Adelaide and Melbourne was made worse by power failures caused by excessive demand for electricity, leaving many homes without fans or air conditioners. In Sydney more than 40 people collapsed Thursday and were rushed to hospitals as the temperature hit 102 degrees. A slight respite from the high temperatures is forecast.