Brussels: More than 10000 additional deaths were recorded across Europe during a powerful heatwave that swept the continent in late June, according to new data from the European mortality monitoring network. Health experts and climate scientists say the extreme temperatures have once again shown how dangerous prolonged heat can be, especially for older people and those with existing health conditions.
The latest figures from EuroMOMO, a network that tracks mortality across Europe, found that the week between June 22 and June 28 saw a sharp rise in deaths compared with what would normally be expected at that time of the year. More than 9000 of the excess deaths were among people aged 65 years and above, making older adults the group most severely affected.
Germany reported the highest number of heat related deaths, with about 5120 fatalities linked to the extreme weather. France and Belgium also recorded unusually high mortality rates, while several other countries across Western and Central Europe experienced a significant increase in deaths as temperatures climbed well above seasonal averages.
The heatwave pushed temperatures beyond 40 degrees Celsius in parts of France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the Balkans. Authorities in many countries issued emergency health warnings, urging people to remain indoors during the hottest hours of the day, drink plenty of water and check on elderly relatives and neighbours.
Hospitals across several regions experienced a rise in emergency admissions as patients sought treatment for dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Medical experts warned that extreme heat can worsen existing heart, lung and kidney diseases, making vulnerable people more likely to suffer serious complications.
The soaring temperatures also disrupted daily life across Europe. Schools were forced to close in some areas, transport services experienced delays due to overheated railway lines and roads, and electricity demand increased as millions relied on air conditioning to cope with the heat. Firefighters were also placed on high alert as dry conditions increased the risk of wildfires in several countries.
In Germany, officials also reported an increase in drowning deaths during the hot weather as many people headed to lakes, rivers and other open water areas to cool off. Safety agencies reminded the public to avoid swimming in unsafe locations and to be cautious of changing water conditions.
Scientists say the deadly heatwave is another clear sign of the growing impact of climate change. Researchers explained that rising global temperatures have made extreme heat events more frequent, more intense and longer lasting than in the past. According to climate experts, the conditions experienced across Europe this summer would have been far less likely without human caused climate change.
The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service recently confirmed that June 2026 was the hottest June ever recorded in Western Europe. Climate researchers say this record reflects a long term warming trend that is increasing the risk of dangerous weather events across the continent.
In the United Kingdom, separate research estimated that more than 2700 heat related deaths occurred in England and Wales during May and June. Researchers from Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said climate change played a major role in many of those deaths by making the heatwave significantly more severe.
Public health experts are calling for stronger heat action plans to protect vulnerable people before future heatwaves strike. They say governments need to improve early warning systems, expand access to cooling centres, strengthen health services during extreme weather and ensure that elderly people living alone receive regular welfare checks.
Climate scientists also stress that cities need to invest in more green spaces, better building designs and improved urban planning to reduce the effects of rising temperatures. They warn that without stronger efforts to limit global warming and prepare communities for more frequent heatwaves, Europe is likely to face even higher death tolls in the years ahead.
The latest figures serve as a stark reminder that extreme heat is no longer an occasional weather event but an increasingly serious public health challenge affecting millions of people across Europe.