Europe's late-June heatwave caused over 10,000 excess deaths
A recent analysis by EuroMOMO indicates that Europe faced over 10,000 additional fatalities due to an intense heatwave at the end of June. Of these, more than 9,000 deaths involved individuals aged 65 and older. The extreme temperatures can result in heatstroke and exacerbate existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, particularly among older adults. Lasse Vestergaard, Denmark's Chief Physician at the Statens Serum Institut, labeled the death toll as "unusual" and significantly elevated for this season. Experts suggest that the likelihood of such a heatwave occurring without climate change is extremely low.
Key facts
- Europe recorded more than 10,000 excess deaths during the late-June heatwave.
- Over 9,000 of the deaths were among people aged 65 and above.
- Data was published by EuroMOMO, a network backed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization.
- Extreme heat can kill by causing heatstroke or aggravating cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
- Lasse Vestergaard, Chief Physician at Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, called the excess mortality 'unusual' and 'really high'.
- Vestergaard said it is difficult to explain the excess mortality by anything but the extreme heat.
- Scientists said the heatwave would have been 'virtually impossible' without human-caused climate change.
- Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense.
Entities
Institutions
- EuroMOMO
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
- World Health Organization
- Statens Serum Institut
Locations
- Europe