Europe records more than 30,000 excess deaths during a summer of extreme heat

Saturday 22 August 2026 - 09:45

By: Azzat Manal

Europe records more than 30,000 excess deaths during a summer of extreme heat

Europe has recorded more than 30,000 excess deaths during a summer marked by repeated heatwaves, prolonged drought and severe wildfires, according to provisional estimates. Scientists have linked the increasing intensity of extreme heat to human-driven climate change.

The EuroMOMO monitoring platform estimates that more than 32,000 excess deaths occurred across Europe between mid-July and mid-August, although the figure remains provisional and could increase as national health data are updated.

A separate analysis of provisional figures from eight countries — Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain — identified around 33,000 excess deaths or deaths directly associated with extreme heat.

The deadliest period appears to have occurred during the final week of June, when EuroMOMO estimated almost 16,000 excess deaths. The first week of July followed with approximately 8,000. Both periods coincided with severe heatwaves affecting large parts of the continent.

Extreme temperatures were accompanied by widespread drought, creating conditions favorable for major wildfires and putting additional pressure on public health systems. Older people, particularly those over 75, were among the groups most severely affected.

Germany recorded approximately 14,000 heat-related deaths through August 9, according to official figures from the Robert Koch Institute. This represents the highest figure recorded since national monitoring began in 2016.

France reported around 7,300 excess deaths between late May and July 22. Authorities expect the figure to rise after another prolonged heatwave affected the country toward the end of July and into August.

Spain recorded nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths between June 1 and August 19, according to the Carlos III Health Institute. The country also experienced exceptionally high temperatures, with July ranking among the hottest months recorded on mainland Spain.

England registered an estimated 2,877 heat-related deaths during heatwaves in May and June. The figure is approaching the previous record of 2,985 deaths recorded during the summer of 2022, while authorities have warned that additional periods of extreme heat could push the annual total significantly higher.

Belgium recorded an estimated 2,570 excess deaths between June 18 and July 17. The figure is expected to be revised after authorities incorporate data from a later period affected by extreme weather and major wildfires.

The Netherlands recorded around 968 excess deaths between June 22 and July 5, according to an analysis of data from the country’s public health institute. Austria reported 396 heatwave-related deaths in June, the highest monthly figure in its available records dating back to 2017.

Portugal also recorded more than 600 excess deaths between mid-June and the end of July.

Because the EuroMOMO estimates cover only 23 European countries and exclude parts of eastern Europe, the true impact of the summer heat may be considerably broader. The figures will continue to be revised as more complete mortality data become available.

The scale of the provisional toll highlights the growing public health risks associated with extreme temperatures and underscores the importance of heat-warning systems, emergency preparedness and measures to protect vulnerable populations as Europe experiences increasingly frequent episodes of extreme weather.