At least 35,000 extra deaths have been recorded during Europe’s heatwaves this summer. The figure is based on early data from about half of the continent. The real number could be much higher. August data are not yet complete. The deaths have added to concern about the growing health cost of extreme heat.
Germany, France and Spain have recorded more than 25,000 of the estimated deaths. Germany has reported about 14,000 heat related deaths. France has reported thousands of extra deaths during the hot period. Spain has also faced its highest heat death toll on record. The figures are still being checked by health authorities.
The heat has come in a series of record breaking waves. Large parts of Europe faced very high temperatures for days at a time. Cities became hard to cool. Roads and rail lines faced stress. Hospitals also had to deal with more heat related illness. Older people were among those at greatest risk.
Extreme heat can harm the body in many ways. It can raise the risk of heart problems. It can also worsen lung disease and other health problems. Some people may die from a condition made worse by heat. Their death may not be listed as a direct heat death. This is one reason the full toll can be hard to measure.
The figures also show that heat is not only a weather story. It is a public health issue. Health systems need plans for long periods of high heat. Cities need safe cooling areas. Care homes need clear warning plans. People who live alone may need checks during the worst days.
Europe has faced heatwaves before. But the pattern this summer has raised new concern. Scientists have linked the growing risk of extreme heat to climate change. A warmer climate can make heat events more likely and more intense. An older population can also increase the number of people at risk.
The economic cost is also growing. Extreme heat can reduce work hours. It can damage crops. It can increase demand for power as homes and offices use more cooling. Insurance firms can also face higher costs from heat, fires and other extreme weather. These effects can spread far beyond the areas hit by the highest temperatures.
The new death figures remain estimates. They do not mean that every death was caused by heat alone. Researchers compare deaths during hot periods with the number normally expected. This helps show the wider effect of extreme heat. More national data will be needed before experts can give a final figure.
The Europe Heatwave Deaths reported this week show the scale of the problem. More data are expected as health agencies complete their work. The immediate task is to protect people during the next heat event. The longer task is to make cities and health systems better prepared for a hotter Europe.
