More Than 10,000 Deaths Linked to Heatwave Across Europe

Darwin, 13 July : More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across Europe during the last six days of June, compared with the seasonal average. Health experts believe the severe heatwave was the primary cause. The figures were released by EuroMOMO, a mortality monitoring network operated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to EuroMOMO data reported by Reuters, over 10,000 more people died than would normally be expected during that period. Of those, around 9,000 were aged 65 or older. Older adults are particularly vulnerable during extreme heat, as high temperatures can cause heatstroke and worsen heart and respiratory conditions, significantly increasing the risk of death.

Lasse Vestergaard, Chief Physician at Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, which manages EuroMOMO, said, “Such a high number of excess deaths at this time of year is unusual. The figure is really very high.”

He added, “It is difficult to find any plausible explanation for such a large number of excess deaths other than extreme heat.”

Scientists say the exceptional temperatures recorded at the end of June would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change. Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting.

EuroMOMO compiles national mortality data from 27 European countries. The latest figures cover all-cause excess mortality between 22 and 28 June, not just deaths directly attributed to heat. That same week, the heatwave reached peak intensity in several countries, including France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Researchers noted that there were no other major factors, such as a large COVID-19 outbreak, that could explain the 10,650 excess deaths recorded during the week.

During the previous eight weeks, the same group of countries had reported an average of around 500 fewer deaths per week than expected. EuroMOMO noted that the figures may be revised as additional data become available.

The late-June heatwave also disrupted electricity supplies, forced the closure of many schools, and shattered previous temperature records in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Although EuroMOMO does not publish country-specific excess death totals, it reported that France and Belgium experienced “very high” levels of excess mortality during the final week of June.

Belgium’s public health institute Sciensano said that, based on records dating back to 2000, the country experienced its highest-ever level of excess mortality during a heatwave.

A separate scientific study published on Monday estimated that around 2,700 people in England and Wales died from heat-related causes during the heatwaves in May and June.