At least 35 more people than normal have died in Europe during four consecutive heatwaves this summer, according to preliminary data from more than half of the continent's countries. Experts warn that the final toll is expected to be even higher.

Three of the largest countries in the European Union, Germany, France and Spain, have together recorded more than 25 excess deaths, while data for the month of August is still incomplete.

Heatwaves have been hitting Western Europe since May, breaking temperature records at hundreds of weather stations. France recorded its highest daily average temperature ever measured in the country, while in Germany 46 weather stations recorded temperatures above 40°C for three consecutive days in late June. In Spain, temperatures above 42°C persisted for long periods.

Scientists point out that climate change caused by human activity is making extreme heat waves more frequent and intense.

Germany with the heaviest balance sheet

Germany has recorded the highest number of deaths. According to estimates by the Robert Koch Institute, around 14 people lost their lives as a result of the heat from April 6 to August 9.

During the week of June 22–28 alone, according to preliminary data, around 9,600 deaths related to high temperatures were recorded.

This is the heaviest toll recorded in Germany since records began. The previous record was in 2018, when around 8,900 deaths were attributed to the heat.

Spain and France also face thousands of casualties

In Spain, data from the Carlos III Health Institute shows around 4,947 heat-related deaths from May to August.

This makes 2026 the year with the highest number of deaths from extreme temperatures in Spain, surpassing the record of 2022, when around 4,520 fatalities were recorded.

In France, authorities have reported about 7,300 excess deaths from all causes during the period from the end of May to July 22. Data for August has not yet been included in the tally.

More than 500 French weather stations recorded temperatures above 40°C, while at the peak of the heatwave, 98% of the country's territory was under weather warning.

Italy and Britain also report thousands of deaths

In Italy, national data is still not available. However, statistical models estimate that in the last week of June alone, around 2,700 more people than normal lost their lives.

Epidemiologists predict that the final number of heat-related deaths in Italy could reach between 5,000 and 8,000.

In England, authorities have estimated that the heatwaves of May and June caused around 2,877 deaths linked to high temperatures.

Belgium reported 1,222 additional deaths over a period of about two weeks, while the Netherlands recorded at least 900 more deaths than usual.

Poland and Switzerland have also reported hundreds to more than a thousand additional deaths during heat waves.

Why is it difficult to determine the number of victims?

Deaths from high temperatures are often not recorded directly as “heat deaths.” Extreme temperatures can exacerbate existing illnesses, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory ones.

In many cases, affected people can die from heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, or other complications.

For this reason, some countries use statistical models that compare the number of deaths during hot periods with the number that would be expected under normal conditions.

The final balance could take weeks or months, as many countries still do not have complete data for August.

Warning for the coming years

The World Health Organization has warned that heat-related mortality in the European region has increased significantly over the past two decades and is expected to continue to rise.

The combination of global warming and an aging population makes Europe increasingly exposed to heat waves.

With August data still incomplete, the death toll of at least 35 is expected to rise further, making the summer of 2026 one of the deadliest heatwaves on record in Europe.