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🇧🇪 Belgium /Disasters & Emergencies

After Europe’s deadliest heatwave, has Belgian politics taken action?

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Analysis Documents & data New plan
  • Belgium recorded 1,747 excess deaths between June 18 and July 1 during a heatwave, a 47.8% increase over expected mortality and the highest excess mortality in Europe according to EuroMOMO.
  • The heatwave particularly affected Wallonia and older people, although a substantial increase also occurred among people under 65.
  • Experts and authorities cited overloaded emergency services, insufficient cool spaces and weak coordination, while the government pledged a new heat plan and an interministerial conference in September.

Belgium recorded 1,747 more deaths than expected between June 18 and July 1 during a heatwave, according to preliminary figures from Sciensano. Excess mortality reached 47.8%, and on Saturday, June 27, it rose to 146.5%.

The figure ranked highest in Europe in data from the European Mortality Monitoring Network, although some observers noted that the numbers can be difficult to compare. Biostatistician Geert Molenberghs of UHasselt and KU Leuven defended the value of the comparison, saying the results from different monitoring systems pointed in the same direction.

The deaths were especially visible in Wallonia and mainly involved older people, both at home and in residential care facilities. A substantial increase also occurred among people younger than 65. Sciensano described the episode as the heaviest mortality during a heatwave since it began conducting its analyses.

Belgium had the highest excess deaths in Europe, making it a case study into what went wrong.

— The New York TimesThe characterization was cited in discussion of Belgium’s mortality figures.

The review identified several weaknesses rather than one single cause. Emergency centers came under strain, communities lacked enough cool places, and authorities at different levels did not coordinate effectively. The response also raised broader questions about climate measures and how cities and buildings can be cooled.

Politicians have promised changes before the next summer. A new heat plan is due to be prepared, and an interministerial conference will discuss recommendations in September. Molenberghs said the figures should not be dismissed: “The figures are what they are. You simply cannot look away.”

The figures are what they are. You simply cannot look away.

— Geert MolenberghsThe biostatistician said the mortality data showed a clear result despite possible reservations about comparisons.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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