More than 12,000 excess deaths were recorded across Europe during last month’s severe heatwave, according to preliminary mortality data, highlighting the growing human cost of extreme temperatures driven by climate change. An analysis of official statistics found that at least 10,000 excess deaths were recorded between June 22 and June 28 across Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

An analysis of official statistics found that at least 10,000 excess deaths were recorded between June 22 and June 28 across Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

In addition, Britain’s Met Office estimated that around 2,200 people died in England and Wales between June 18 and June 28 due to the heatwave, taking the total death toll to more than 12,000.

The figures come after several European countries recorded their highest-ever temperatures, while the UK and Switzerland experienced their hottest June on record.

The European Mortality Monitoring Project (EuroMOMO), which compiles mortality data from across the continent, estimated 14,260 excess deaths during the final week of June based on data from 24 countries covering around 400 million people.

However, the organization cautioned that the figures remain provisional and are expected to be revised as additional data becomes available.

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri P. Kluge urged governments to treat extreme heat as a public health emergency rather than simply a weather event.

“The summer is not yet over,” he warned, adding that most heat-related deaths are preventable through established public health measures.

According to the available data, the final week of June recorded the highest level of excess mortality for the month since EuroMOMO began compiling Europe-wide figures in 2020.

Epidemiologists believe the sharp rise in deaths was largely driven by the intense heatwave.

Spain’s national mortality monitoring system attributed 610 deaths directly to heat between June 22 and June 28, with nearly two-thirds of the victims aged over 85.

Germany recorded the highest increase among the countries analyzed, reporting 5,780 excess deaths during the same period compared with the average for the previous four years.

Experts have cautioned that the final death toll is likely to rise as national statistical agencies continue updating their records over the coming weeks.

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