Over 10,000 deaths in Europe due to record-breaking heatwave

According to a report by Reuters, more than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded during the record-breaking heatwave in the western parts of Europe at the end of June. Official figures indicate that those most affected were people aged 65 years or older.

Data released by EuroMOMO shows that between 22 and 28 June, a total of 10,650 excess deaths occurred across 27 European countries. Of these, more than 9,000 were individuals aged 65 years or older. EuroMOMO is a surveillance network that works in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Extreme heat cited as the main cause

Lasse Westergaard, Chief Physician at Denmark's Statens Serum Institut, told Reuters that such a high number of excess deaths at this time of year is not normal. According to him, the most likely cause of these deaths is the extreme heat.

Experts say that excessive heat exacerbates heat stroke and heart and respiratory diseases, posing a greater risk to the elderly.

Climate change increasing heatwaves

Scientists believe that the severe heatwave at the end of June would have been almost impossible without human-induced climate change. They state that global warming is causing heatwaves to occur more frequently and with greater intensity worldwide.

Most impact in France and Belgium

According to the Reuters report, EuroMOMO reported that France and Belgium were the two countries where a significant number of excess deaths were recorded during the last week of June. According to Belgium's public health institute Sciensano, this was the first time since 2000 that such a high number of excess deaths were recorded during a heatwave.

Thousands of deaths estimated in the UK

A separate scientific study estimates that during the heatwave in May and June, approximately 2,700 deaths in England and Wales were related to heat. Researchers estimate that about 42 percent of these deaths were linked to the additional heat caused by climate change. The report states that the severe heat at the end of June affected power supply in several countries, including France, Spain, and the UK, led to school closures, and broke temperature records in many places.