Heatwaves cause over 30,000 excess deaths in Europe this summer

Heatwaves with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius have significantly impacted Europe this summer, leading to an estimated minimum of 30,000 excess deaths, according to preliminary data.

The observation platform EuroMomo reported over 32,000 additional deaths between mid-July and mid-August. While EuroMomo does not provide country-specific breakdowns, an analysis by AFP of preliminary figures from eight countries, Germany, Austria, Belgium, England, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, suggests approximately 33,000 deaths were directly linked to the heat.

Germany alone recorded an estimated 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer, the Robert Koch Institute announced on Thursday. The highest number of excess deaths in Europe was observed during the last week of June, with 16,000 recorded fatalities, followed by the first week of July with around 8,000 deaths, both periods marked by extreme heatwaves.

Specifically in Germany, the Robert Koch Institute stated that 9,600 people died during the particularly hot calendar week 26, from June 22 to June 28, when temperatures in some areas exceeded 41 degrees Celsius. EuroMomo's estimates are expected to be refined in the coming weeks as they incorporate official statistics from 23 European countries, excluding parts of Eastern Europe.