During the record-breaking heat wave that has been affecting Europe since June, 10,650 deaths—more than initially estimated—were recorded, with the majority of the deaths occurring among people aged 65 and older.
Death tolls are rising due to the record-breaking heat wave in Europe. According to data published by EuroMOMO—a network supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization—10,650 excess deaths were recorded across 27 European countries during the heat wave, exceeding initial estimates. The vast majority of these deaths occurred among people aged 65 and older.
EuroMOMO reported that France and Belgium were the two countries in Europe that saw a “very high excess mortality rate” during the last week of June. According to Sciensano, the excess mortality rate recorded in Belgium reached its highest level among heat waves since 2000.
Lasse Vestergaard, Chief Medical Officer at the Danish State Serum Institute, which hosts EuroMOMO, stated, “It is unusual to see such a death rate at this time of year. It is truly very high. It is difficult to explain this high death rate by anything other than extreme heat.”
