Select Language:
During the June heatwave that swept across Europe, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium reported a total of 3,700 excess deaths, according to authorities. These figures are preliminary and may increase as investigations continue.
Experts state this heatwave, which occurred roughly from June 20 to June 28, was the most severe on record in Europe. It disrupted power supplies, damaged infrastructure, and overwhelmed healthcare services. Climate scientists concur that such extreme heat events are almost certainly amplified by ongoing climate change.
French officials reported 2,025 excess fatalities during the heatwave, with a notable rise in deaths among individuals over 45. French Health Minister Stephanie Rist indicated that deaths at home jumped by 91% between June 22 and June 28 compared to the previous week. Conversely, fatalities in nursing homes and health facilities also increased, signaling the broad impact of the heat. The country’s public health office cautioned that final numbers could be higher than initial estimates.
Belgium recorded approximately 1,200 excess deaths from June 18 to June 29, with 530 of these among people aged 85 and older. Younger populations under 65 accounted for around 180 of the extra deaths. Belgium’s health authorities described this mortality rate as unprecedented for their country.
Similarly, the Netherlands saw about 480 additional deaths linked to the heatwave, predominantly among those over 80 years old.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
