This summer’s heatwaves have led to at least 35,000 excess deaths across Europe, with numbers anticipated to rise as additional countries finalize their assessments. Germany, France, and Spain are among the hardest hit, collectively accounting for over 25,000 of these deaths. In Germany, approximately 14,000 heat-related deaths have been reported between April and early August, marking the deadliest summer since records began. Spain, too, has faced grim statistics, with nearly 5,000 deaths attributed to heat since May, setting a new record for the country.
France has reported about 7,300 excess deaths from late May to July, although this preliminary figure does not yet include data from August. Other nations, such as the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland, have also witnessed significant increases in mortality rates during these periods of extreme heat. These heatwaves have driven temperatures above 40°C in vast areas of western and central Europe, breaking numerous national and local temperature records.
According to scientists, the frequency and intensity of these extreme heat events are exacerbated by climate change. Identifying heat-related deaths can be challenging, as extreme temperatures often worsen pre-existing cardiovascular, respiratory, and other health conditions, rather than being directly recorded as the cause of death.
Experts believe the overall death toll in Europe will continue to rise as delayed mortality data is compiled and figures from August become available. The extent of these deaths underscores the escalating public health risks associated with increasingly severe heatwaves.