Europe ‘burns’ in unprecedented heatwave, 3,700 dead in three countries

A severe heatwave that swept across Europe in late June saw temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius. As a result, at least 3,700 additional deaths were recorded in France, Belgium and the Netherlands alone. However, authorities said this was a preliminary estimate; the death toll could rise once final figures are released.
According to experts, the heatwave, which lasted from June 20 to 28, was one of the worst in European history. It disrupted power generation, damaged infrastructure and put a strain on the health system. Scientists say the extreme heatwave is almost certainly due to climate change.
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said that an additional 2,025 people died in the country during the heatwave. The death rate was particularly high among those aged 45 and over. A bulletin from the French public health authority said that the number of deaths at home increased by 91 percent between June 22 and 28 compared to the previous week. At the same time, deaths in nursing homes and healthcare institutions also increased.
The Belgian health ministry said on Thursday that about 1,200 extra people died in the country between June 18 and 29. Of these, 530 were aged 85 or over. In addition, another 180 were under 65. In a statement, the ministry said that “this high number of deaths during a heat wave is unprecedented in our country.”
Authorities in the Netherlands said that about 480 extra people died in the country due to an intense heat wave. Most of the dead were aged 80 or over. An analysis by the AFP news agency said that more than two-thirds of Europe’s 410 million people experienced temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius during the heat wave. Germany, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary all broke their all-time high temperature records. The UK and Switzerland also broke all June records. France also recorded its hottest night on record.