An abnormal heatwave in Western Europe in the second half of June may have caused more than 12,000 excess deaths. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to AFP, from June 22 to 28, when air temperatures peaked, about 10,000 excess deaths were recorded in Belgium, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland compared to the average for the same period in previous years. Another approximately 2,200 excess deaths were recorded in England and Wales from June 18 to 28, the UK Met Office reported.
Eastern European countries were not included in AFP's analysis.
Dr. Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, said that most such deaths are preventable if existing recommendations are applied in a timely manner.
"Too many governments still treat heat as a weather phenomenon, not a health emergency. The further actions of governments are their choice, and this summer shows what is at stake," Kluge emphasized.
In Germany, according to the Federal Statistical Office, from June 22 to 28, when temperatures in some areas exceeded 41°C, about 23,900 people died — 7,100 more than two weeks earlier. Meanwhile, the Robert Koch Institute had previously estimated excess mortality for the hottest week of June at about 4,300 people, and for the entire month at about 5,100.
Earlier, the European mortality monitoring program EuroMOMO, supported by WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), estimated heat-related deaths across Europe at more than 10,000 people. The study was based on data from 27 European countries.
According to these data, most deaths occurred among people over 65. Extreme heat increases the risk of heat stroke and can also trigger exacerbations of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, to which the elderly are most vulnerable.