The heatwave that struck Western Europe from June 18 to July 1 is estimated to have been linked to at least 14,000 excess deaths in the six countries most severely affected, according to a POLITICO analysis based on preliminary official mortality data and scientific estimates.
The highest death toll was recorded in Germany, with around 6,800 excess deaths during the week of June 22–28. In the United Kingdom, scientists estimate that about 2,200 people died from heat-related causes between June 18 and 28, while France recorded 2,025 excess deaths during the week of June 22–28. Belgium reported 1,747 excess deaths between June 18 and July 1, Spain recorded 812 deaths directly attributed to the heat by June 30, and the Netherlands registered 480 excess deaths during the week of June 22–28.
Scientists say that a heatwave of this intensity would have been almost impossible without human-caused climate change.
The term “excess mortality” refers to the difference between the number of deaths actually recorded and the number that would normally be expected based on historical data. These were not necessarily deaths from heatstroke, as high temperatures can worsen pre-existing conditions, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, thereby increasing the risk of death.
At the same time, the European mortality monitoring system EuroMOMO reported 10,650 excess deaths across 27 countries between June 22 and 28, noting that, in the absence of another major public health threat on the continent, the increase was linked to the heatwave.
According to scientists who studied the event, the intensity of this particular heatwave would have been almost impossible without human-caused climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: Politico
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