Europe death toll tops 10,000 during late-June heatwave; scientists blame human-caused climate change

More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across Europe during the record-breaking heatwave that swept through western parts of the continent in late June, according to official mortality data cited by Reuters.Figures released by EuroMOMO, a mortality monitoring network backed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), showed 10,650 excess deaths were recorded during the week of June 22 to June 28, when the heatwave peaked across France, Spain, Britain and several other countries.Of these, more than 9,000 deaths were among people aged 65 and above, highlighting the severe impact of extreme heat on older populations.Scientists say the late-June heatwave would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused climate change, which is making heatwaves more frequent, intense and longer-lasting, the agency reported.Extreme heat can prove fatal by triggering heat stroke or worsening existing cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, with elderly people remaining the most vulnerable.The EuroMOMO figures are based on national mortality statistics from 27 European countries and measure all-cause excess deaths, not just those officially classified as heat-related.Researchers said there were no other major contributing factors, such as Covid-19 outbreaks, that could explain the sharp spike in deaths during the week. The agency noted that the figures may be revised as additional data becomes available.While EuroMOMO does not publish country-wise excess death figures, it said France and Belgium were the only countries to record “very high excess mortality” during the final week of June.Belgium’s public health institute Sciensano said the country recorded its highest excess mortality during a heatwave since records began in 2000.The heatwave disrupted daily life across Europe, leading to power outages, school closures and record-breaking temperatures in countries including France, Spain and the United Kingdom.A separate scientific study published on Monday estimated that around 2,700 people died from heat-related causes in England and Wales during the May and June heatwaves.Researchers from Imperial College London, the UK Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that 42% of those deaths were attributable to the additional heat caused by climate change.Germany has also recorded an estimated 5,120 heat-related deaths so far this year, with the majority occurring during the intense heatwave in late June, according to the country’s public health agency.The extreme weather also led to a sharp rise in drowning incidents. According to The Guardian, 99 people drowned in June, making it the country’s highest monthly drowning toll in more than two decades.Temperatures in parts of Germany climbed to 41.7°C (107.1°F) during the heatwave, prompting large numbers of people to seek relief in lakes, rivers and other water bodies.Officials said the majority of victims were young men, with 40 of the victims aged below 30 years. More than 90% of those who died were male, according to the German lifesaving federation.Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing both the intensity and frequency of extreme heat events, making heatwaves one of the deadliest weather-related hazards worldwide.