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2 clusters · 7 sources · 23 days · First seen · Last updated

Rising heat-related mortality in Europe

Overview

Data from England, Wales, and Spain indicate rising trends in mortality linked to extreme temperatures. In England and Wales, long-term statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that while cold-related deaths historically outnumber heat-related deaths, the gap is narrowing. In May and June 2026, an estimated 2,877 heat-related deaths occurred, with London recording the highest number of fatalities specifically linked to hot days.

In Spain, mortality monitoring systems report significant increases in heat-related deaths. Galicia has seen a decade-high number of heat-attributed deaths in September 2026, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. In the Basque Country, the average number of daily heat-related deaths rose from 1.01 in 2025 to 3.78 in 2026, with 409 deaths recorded between mid-May and late August. Officials noted that women and individuals over the age of 85 are disproportionately affected. Meteorological agencies have described the period as a “four-month summer” due to the persistence of high temperatures into September.

Entities

Galicia · Wales · Carlos III Health Institute · Reconomy · AEMET

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Heat-related deaths rise significantly in Galicia and Basque Country

    Heat-related mortality has surged in Spain, with Galicia seeing record September deaths and the Basque Country reporting a nearly fourfold increase in daily heat-attributed deaths compared to last year.

  2. 27 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Temperature-related mortality trends in England and Wales

    Recent data shows a narrowing gap between cold and heat-related deaths in England and Wales, with London experiencing the highest number of fatalities during hot days due to factors like the urban heat island.

Sources

bilbaohiria.com · cliscep.com · deia.eus · eldiario.es · environmentjournal.online · laopinioncoruna.es · laverdadnoticias.com