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[HEALTH] · Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France · 4 sources

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Europe heatwaves cause tens of thousands of excess deaths

Europe has experienced a devastating summer of extreme heat, resulting in tens of thousands of excess deaths across the continent. Provisional data from national health authorities in several major EU countries indicate that excess mortality in Germany, France, and Spain alone has already surpassed 25,000.

Germany has recorded the highest impact, with approximately 14,000 heat-related deaths reported between April 6 and August 9. The Robert Koch Institute noted a particularly lethal period during the week of June 22 to June 28, when roughly 9,600 deaths occurred. In Spain, the Carlos III Health Institute reported 4,947 deaths attributed to heat between May and August, marking a significant increase over previous years.

France reported 7,300 excess deaths between late May and July 22. Other nations have also reported significant tolls, including 2,877 deaths in England, a 39% mortality increase in Belgium, and at least 900 additional deaths in the Netherlands. Experts suggest the total death toll will rise as more data from August is consolidated. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of these heatwaves to human-caused global warming.

Entities

EuroMOMO · France · Germany · Robert Koch Institute · Spain

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