Heat wave-hit Europe logs over 30,000 excess summer deaths: First figures

Provisional figures indicate that extreme heat during the summer of 2026 caused more than 30,000 excess deaths across Europe, marking one of the deadliest heatwaves in recent memory. The data comes from EuroMomo, a European monitoring system that tracks mortality trends, which estimated over 32,000 additional deaths between mid-July and mid-August alone. These numbers are likely to increase further as the summer continues, with the final toll still uncertain. Scientists attribute the intense heat and prolonged drought to human-induced climate change, raising concerns about future risks. The most severe period occurred in early July, with nearly 16,000 excess deaths recorded in the last week of June, followed by another 8,000 in the first week of July. Both periods coincided with record-breaking temperatures and widespread wildfires, particularly in southern and eastern Europe. The EuroMomo model covers 23 European countries but excludes parts of the eastern region, meaning the actual death toll may be higher. As the monitoring system refines its estimates, the final figure is expected to evolve significantly over the coming weeks. Germany, the most populous country in the European Union, reported 14,000 heat-related deaths up to August 9, setting a new record since tracking began in 2016. The Robert Koch Institute noted that individuals aged 75 and older accounted for the majority of these fatalities. Similar patterns emerged across the continent, with vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of the extreme conditions. In France, preliminary data from public health authorities show 7,300 excess deaths between late May and July 22. With the prolonged heatwave ending recently, officials anticipate the total will rise further. In Spain, nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths were recorded between June 1 and August 19, the highest number for that timeframe since 2022. The country’s national weather agency confirmed that July 2026 was the hottest on record, matching the previous peak in 2022. England faces its own potential record, with the health and safety authority estimating 2,877 heat-related deaths in May and June. This figure threatens to surpass the 2,985 recorded in the summer of 2022. Officials warn that the overall death toll for 2026 could be much higher due to additional heatwaves later in the year. Belgium, despite its smaller population, recorded 2,570 excess deaths between June 18 and July 17. The Sciensano national public health institute plans to update this figure in September, incorporating data from a period marked by severe wildfires. In the Netherlands, the RIVM institute reported 968 excess deaths between June 22 and July 5, highlighting the widespread impact of the heat across northern Europe. Austria and Portugal also faced significant losses. Austria’s AGES agency reported 396 heat-related deaths in June, a record for the month in the Alpine nation. Meanwhile, Portugal recorded over 600 excess deaths between mid-June and the end of July, underscoring the severity of the crisis in southern Europe. These figures reflect the growing challenge posed by increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, driven by global warming. Health authorities across the continent are preparing for similar or worse scenarios in the coming years, emphasizing the need for improved heatwave response strategies and public awareness campaigns. As the summer progresses, the focus shifts to understanding the long-term implications of these unprecedented temperatures and how they might shape future policies and emergency preparedness efforts.