Reuters is reporting that a sixth person has died as a result of a thunderstorm that triggered thousands of pollen allergy asthma attacks in Melbourne, Australia last week.

Heavy rain and winds on Monday, just as spring peaks in the southern state of Victoria, allowed rye grass pollen to absorb moisture and burst into smaller particles that sent the pollen count soaring.

Across Monday and Tuesday, hospitals treated more than 8,500 patients, according to the Victorian health department.

Read more at www.reuters.com