Europe's Heat Wave Linked to Over 1,300 Deaths
Europe’s heatwave linked to 1,300 deaths, WHO says, as Germany hits record 41.7C
A severe early summer heat wave sweeping across Europe has been linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths, according to World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Temperature records fell across the continent on Sunday, with Germany reaching 41.7 degrees Celsius as the extreme heat moved eastward through Poland and the Czech Republic.
France's health ministry reported approximately 1,000 more deaths than expected since Wednesday, with a notable 40 percent increase in deaths occurring at home. Elderly people aged 65 and older represent a significant portion of the fatalities. The WHO characterized heat stress as a "silent killer," noting that European infrastructure—homes, workplaces, and schools—was not designed to withstand such temperatures. The agency warned that Europe is the fastest-warming continent globally, heating at twice the average global rate.
