Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Europe Heatwave Killed 16,000 More Than Usual; Another Expected
Europe got very, very hot this summer, and the heat made a lot of people sick.
About 16,000 more people than normal died in just one week in June.
The countries that had the most trouble were in the north, like France, Belgium and Germany, because they are not used to hot weather.
Many homes there do not have air-conditioning to help people cool down.
In the south of Europe, people have dealt with hot summers for hundreds of years, so they know how to stay safe.
Even in winter, when colds and flu are common, fewer people died than during this hot week.
Europe had a similar very hot summer in 2022 that also led to many more deaths.
Now, the weather agencies in the U.K. and France are warning people that another very hot week is coming.
Scientists say the heat is getting worse because of climate change, so summers will probably be even hotter in the future.
About 16,000 more people than usual died in Europe after a week of extreme June heat, according to the European Mortality Monitoring Network.
Most deaths occurred in northern European countries unaccustomed to high temperatures: France, Belgium and Germany.
Deaths spiked once temperatures crossed 37 degrees Celsius, largely because of low adoption of air-conditioning in the north.
Southern European countries were less affected because they have long dealt with high temperatures, while Britain and France are now forecast to face another heatwave.
The U.K. Met Office and Meteo-France issued warnings for mid-30s Celsius temperatures, and scientists warned future summers will generally be hotter due to climate change.
- Who
- Northern European countries unaccustomed to extreme heat, chiefly France, Belgium and Germany, were the hardest hit; the European Mortality Monitoring Network compiled the data.
- What
- About 16,000 more people than usual died during a week of extreme June heat, and Europe is now bracing for another heatwave with warnings issued in Britain and France.
- When
- A week of extreme heat in June, with another hot spell forecast to take hold in the summer.
- Where
- Europe, with the most deaths in north-western countries and warnings covering Britain and France.
- Why
- A historic heatwave hit unprepared northern regions with low air-conditioning use, and scientists warned that climate change means future summers will generally be hotter.
- Excess deaths
- About 16,000 more than usual per the European Mortality Monitoring Network
- Temperature threshold
- Deaths spiked when temperatures crossed 37 degrees Celsius
- Most affected countries
- France, Belgium and Germany
- Forecast temperatures
- Mid-30s Celsius in parts of Britain and France
- Warnings issued by
- U.K. Met Office and Meteo-France
- Historical comparison
- Over 16,000 excess deaths in the July 2022 heatwave; last major heatwave killed tens of thousands in 2003