Key Takeaways
- More than 12,000 excess deaths were recorded across Europe during a severe heatwave in June.
- The UK and Switzerland experienced their hottest Junes on record, contributing to the high death toll.
- Experts warn that extreme heat should be treated as a public health emergency.
A severe heatwave that gripped much of Europe in June has claimed over 12,000 lives, according to preliminary mortality data. The European Mortality Monitoring Project (EuroMOMO) reported 14,260 excess deaths during the final week of June based on data from 24 countries covering around 400 million people.
The heatwave, which saw several European nations record their highest-ever temperatures, particularly affected Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. Britain’s Met Office estimated that approximately 2,200 people died in England and Wales between June 18 and June 28 due to the extreme heat.
Spain reported 610 deaths directly attributed to the heatwave between June 22 and June 28, with nearly two-thirds of victims being over 85 years old. Germany recorded the highest increase in excess deaths, reporting 5,780 during the same period compared with the average for the previous four years.
The European Mortality Monitoring Project cautioned that the figures remain provisional and are expected to be revised as additional data becomes available. Experts have warned that the final death toll is likely to rise as national statistical agencies continue updating their records over the coming weeks.
World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, Hans Henri P. Kluge, urged governments to treat extreme heat as a public health emergency rather than simply a weather event. He stated, 'The summer is not yet over,' and emphasized that most heat-related deaths are preventable through established public health measures.
In the UK, the Met Office highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that June 2026 was the hottest on record for both England and Wales. The UK government has since launched a series of initiatives to mitigate the impact of future heatwaves, including improved early warning systems and increased public awareness campaigns.
The European Union is also considering long-term measures to address climate change and its impacts on public health. However, experts stress that immediate action is needed to protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
As the heatwave continues to affect parts of Europe, public health officials are calling for a coordinated response across borders to ensure adequate support and resources are available to prevent further loss of life. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action and improved preparedness strategies.
'The summer is not yet over,' he warned, adding that most heat-related deaths are preventable through established public health measures.
Hans Henri P. Kluge, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe
