More than 35,000 people have died in Europe due to an abnormal heat wave, according to The Guardian
This summer, Europe faced unprecedented heat waves, which may have already led to at least 35,000 additional deaths. However, this estimate is preliminary, as it is based on incomplete data from about half of the continent’s countries and does not yet include the final figures for August.
Germany, France, and Spain were hit hardest by the extreme temperatures. Combined, these three countries recorded more than 25,000 excess deaths.
In Germany, more than 14,000 heat-related deaths were recorded. This figure could make this summer the deadliest in the country’s recorded history.
In Spain, the death toll from the heat is approaching 5,000, while in France, more than 7,000 cases of premature mortality were recorded in June and July.
Data on excess mortality across the European Union has been available since 2008. It shows that the only other summer week with a higher rate of excess deaths was a week in July 2022, when the COVID-19 pandemic was still ongoing.
Experts emphasize that it is difficult to accurately count the number of deaths caused by heat. High temperatures are rarely listed as the direct cause of death. Instead, extreme heat can exacerbate chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
As a result, final data on the consequences of this year’s heat waves will not be available for several months, and the actual number of heat-related deaths may turn out to be significantly higher.
In May, the World Health Organization reported that heat-related mortality in the European region has increased by more than 30% over the past 20 years. According to forecasts, this figure may continue to rise due to the climate crisis and an aging population.
Extreme heat is accompanied by drought and falling river levels.
According to the European Environment Agency, every year about 30% of the EU’s territory and roughly one-third of its population face temporary water shortages.
Water levels in the continent’s largest rivers—the Rhine, the Danube, and the Po—have already dropped to critical levels. This creates additional problems for shipping, energy, and industry.
This is reported by The Guardian.
Prolonged and intense heat waves in Europe could negatively impact insurance companies’ profits due to an increase in payouts related to heat-related deaths and health complications. This is stated in an assessment by the rating agency S&P.;
In southern France, an exceptionally heavy rainstorm followed yet another period of abnormal heat. Over the past 24 hours, the region has set numerous records for monthly precipitation totals.
