A late-June heatwave that affected several European countries was linked to more than 10,000 excess deaths, according to official data cited by Reuters, underlining the deadly impact of extreme temperatures across the continent.
The figures from the European mortality monitoring network EuroMOMO showed that the majority of additional deaths occurred among people aged 65 and over, with more than 9,000 excess deaths recorded in this age group.
Health authorities have warned that extreme heat can cause direct fatalities through heatstroke and dehydration, while also worsening existing health conditions, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Germany recorded one of the heaviest impacts during the heatwave, with thousands of heat-related deaths reported during the period. Other European countries, including France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, also experienced significant increases in mortality.
Excess mortality refers to the difference between the number of deaths observed during a given period and the number of deaths normally expected. This measure provides a broader assessment of the impact of extreme weather events, including indirect deaths linked to high temperatures.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves worldwide. Europe has experienced a growing number of extreme heat events in recent years, raising concerns over their consequences for public health and emergency preparedness.
