Europe's heatwave linked to 1,300 deaths, WHO says, as Germany hits record 41.7C

Europe's unprecedented early summer heatwave may be responsible for hundreds of excess deaths, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Temperature records were broken across the continent again on Sunday – including in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic – as the extreme heat continued to move east.

In a post on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded since 21 June "linked to high temperatures in Europe".

"Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' - and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures," he said.

On Sunday morning, France's national health ministry said there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected in the country since Wednesday.

Many of the extra fatalities are among those aged 65 over, the agency said, after logging a 40% rise in the number of people dying at home.

"Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average," Tedros warned.

Millions of people across the continent are currently "living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling", he added.

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Europe experienced a significant heatwave in late June that set multiple temperature records across the continent. The WHO documented over 1,300 excess deaths linked to high temperatures across Europe since 21 June. In France alone, approximately 1,000 more deaths than expected occurred from Wednesday onwards, with elevated mortality particularly among people aged 65 and over. Multiple countries—including Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic—recorded their highest temperatures on Sunday, with Germany reaching 41.7°C. The deaths and disruptions reflect that many European buildings and infrastructure were designed for cooler conditions. Europe's temperature has been increasing at approximately twice the rate of the global average.

Read the full story at BBC ↗ · BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗

Europe's unprecedented early summer heatwave may be responsible for hundreds of excess deaths, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Temperature records were broken across the continent again on Sunday – including in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic – as the extreme heat continued to move east.

In a post on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded since 21 June "linked to high temperatures in Europe".

"Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' - and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures," he said.

On Sunday morning, France's national health ministry said there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected in the country since Wednesday.

Many of the extra fatalities are among those aged 65 over, the agency said, after logging a 40% rise in the number of people dying at home.

"Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average," Tedros warned.

Millions of people across the continent are currently "living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling", he added.

Read the full story at BBC ↗ · BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗

A heatwave affected Europe in late June 2023 The WHO linked over 1,300 excess deaths to high temperatures in Europe since 21 June France reported approximately 1,000 more deaths than expected from Wednesday onwards Deaths were concentrated among people aged 65 and over, with a 40% rise in home deaths Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic set new temperature records on Sunday Germany's temperature reached 41.7°C Heat stress is the 'silent killer' European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth at twice the global average

Read the full story at BBC ↗ · BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗

• A heatwave across Europe has been linked to over 1,300 excess deaths since mid-June, according to WHO
• Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic set new temperature records, with Germany reaching 41.7°C on Sunday
• France reported around 1,000 more deaths than expected since Wednesday, with a 40% rise in home deaths among those aged 65 and over
• Heat stress disproportionately affects elderly populations and regions unprepared for extreme temperatures
• Europe is warming at twice the global average rate