Robert Koch Institute: Nearly 10,000 Heat Deaths Reported in Germany Since Year Began

Germany has recorded nearly 10,000 heat-related deaths since the beginning of 2026, a figure that exceeds the total for any previous year since 2016. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported that as of July 19, approximately 9,800 individuals succumbed to high temperatures. This alarming statistic surpasses the 7,100 deaths previously reported by the Federal Statistical Office and significantly exceeds the previous annual high of around 9,000 deaths in 2018.

The recent heatwaves have taken a devastating toll, with the RKI attributing a substantial portion of these fatalities to the intense heat experienced in the latter half of June, when temperatures soared to around 40 degrees Celsius in many regions. Between early April and July 12, the institute recorded 7,900 heat-related deaths. The situation worsened dramatically in the week of July 13 to July 19, which alone saw an additional 1,900 fatalities.

Elderly individuals are disproportionately affected by the extreme heat. The RKI's data reveals that 5,420 of the deceased were 85 years or older, representing more than half of all heat-related deaths. Another 2,460 fatalities occurred in the 75 to 84 age group, and 1,260 in the 65 to 74 age bracket. While heatstroke was the direct cause of death in some cases, the RKI indicated that most fatalities resulted from a combination of heat exposure and pre-existing health conditions.

The institute also noted a clear correlation between average weekly temperatures and mortality rates. Weeks with average temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius consistently show significantly higher death rates compared to cooler summer weeks. This analysis is based on data from 52 weather stations operated by the German Weather Service (DWD), which recorded an average weekly temperature of 20.9 degrees Celsius during the week of July 13 to 19.