Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Germany Reports Record 15,800 Heat-Related Deaths During Summer Heatwaves
Several very hot heatwaves hit western Europe this summer.
Germany was one of the hardest-hit countries.
Provisional figures say about 15,800 people in Germany died from heat-related causes.
Around 9,600 deaths happened during one especially hot week in late June.
Another 4,000 deaths were recorded between late July and mid-August.
France and Spain also experienced unusually high temperatures and many heat-related deaths.
Hot weather can make the body overheat and cause heatstroke.
It is even more dangerous for people who already have heart, lung or kidney problems.
Germany recorded a provisional 15,800 heat-related deaths during this summer’s successive heatwaves.
The Robert Koch Institute reported around 9,600 deaths in one week in late June, when temperatures reached 40°C.
An additional 4,000 heat-related deaths were recorded between late July and mid-August, according to the institute’s latest update.
Germany, France and Spain together recorded more than 25,000 heat-related deaths, based on provisional national figures.
Heat can cause heatstroke and is especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular, lung or kidney conditions.
- Who
- Germany, France and Spain were among the hardest-hit countries; Germany’s figures were reported by the Robert Koch Institute.
- What
- Successive heatwaves produced a provisional 15,800 heat-related deaths in Germany and more than 25,000 across Germany, France and Spain combined.
- When
- The heatwaves occurred from May through the summer, with major German figures recorded in late June and between late July and mid-August.
- Where
- Across western Europe, particularly Germany, France and Spain.
- Why
- Extreme heat can cause heatstroke and can be fatal, especially when combined with cardiovascular, lung or kidney diseases.
- Germany’s reported toll
- 15,800 provisional heat-related deaths this summer.
- Late-June deaths
- Around 9,600 deaths were recorded in one week, according to the Robert Koch Institute.
- Later deaths
- About 4,000 additional heat-related deaths were reported between late July and mid-August.
- Combined toll
- Germany, France and Spain recorded more than 25,000 heat-related deaths based on provisional national figures.
- German temperatures
- Forty-six stations recorded temperatures above 40°C (104°F).
- Previous German record
- Germany recorded 8,900 heat-related deaths in 2018, its previous highest figure.
- Historical comparison
- The only other summer week with a higher rate of additional deaths occurred in July 2022, when COVID-19 was still circulating.