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Heatwaves caused 35,000 excess deaths in Europe

This summer's heatwaves led to at least 35,000 excess deaths in Europe, according to provisional data covering more than half of the countries.

25 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Heatwaves caused 35,000 excess deaths in Europe — Archive photoPhoto: NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The heatwaves that affected Europe this summer resulted in at least 35,000 excess deaths compared to the expected numbers for this time of year. This information is based on provisional data that includes just over half of European countries, according to reports.

The analysis of the data suggests that the actual number of excess deaths could be considerably higher, as the current count does not cover all countries on the continent and does not include totals from August. The assessment is being made based on records from various public health sources.

Europe has been identified as one of the regions heating up the fastest in the world, leading to a summer with extreme temperatures. Experts emphasize that more severe climatic events may become more frequent as a consequence of climate change.

The data collected so far reflects a significant increase in temperatures, which have impacted public health. Authorities are closely monitoring the effects on the well-being of the population during these prolonged periods of intense heat.

Although the available data is limited, the impact of the heatwaves on mortality highlights the need for ongoing response and monitoring. The situation requires in-depth analysis to fully understand the consequences of this climatic reality.

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