Provisional figures from European health authorities and monitoring platform EuroMomo show that exceptional summer heatwaves caused more than 30,000 excess deaths across Europe.
The European mortality monitoring platform estimated that more than 32,000 excess deaths occurred between mid-June and mid-August, while summer weather continued across the continent.
EuroMomo incorporates official statistical reports from 23 European countries, excluding parts of Eastern Europe, but does not publish data for individual nations. A survey by news agency Agence France-Presse of figures published by national health authorities across eight countries revealed 33,000 excess deaths or direct heat fatalities in Germany, France, Spain, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, and Portugal.
According to weekly estimates from EuroMomo, the final week of June was the deadliest period in the two months ending 16 August, recording nearly 16,000 excess deaths. The first week of July followed with approximately 8,000 excess deaths. Both periods coincided with exceptional heatwaves, widespread drought, and wildfires driven by climate change. EuroMomo noted its initial statistical estimates will be refined in the coming weeks as more data arrives.
Fatality toll across Western Europe
Germany, the most populous country in the European Union with 82 million inhabitants, recorded the highest number of casualties. The Robert Koch Institute, the federal public health agency, reported approximately 14,000 heatwave deaths up to 9 August. The agency noted this was the highest total recorded since estimates began in 2016, with individuals aged 75 and older suffering the heaviest impact.
In France, national agency Santé Publique France reported provisional excess mortality of 7,300 deaths during intense heat spells between late May and 22 July. The authority indicated the figure will rise further following a subsequent heatwave that extended into late July.
In Spain, the Carlos III Health Institute registered nearly 4,500 deaths attributable to heat between 1 June and 19 August, setting a record for that period since 2022. National meteorological agency Aemet confirmed that July was the hottest month ever recorded in Spain, matching temperatures from July 2022.
Casualties in the United Kingdom and Benelux
The UK Health Security Agency estimated 2,877 people died in England during heatwaves in May and June, nearing the record of 2,985 deaths set in summer 2022. The agency warned that total heat casualties for 2026 could be substantially higher after further high temperature periods were recorded in July.
In Belgium, national public health institute Sciensano reported an estimated 2,570 additional deaths between 18 June and 17 July, noting the total was particularly high relative to population size. In the Netherlands, an analysis by Agence France-Presse based on National Institute for Public Health and the Environment data revealed 968 excess deaths between 22 June and 5 July.
In Austria, the Agency for Health and Food Safety reported 395 heat-related deaths in June, marking a record high for that month since data collection began in 2017. In Portugal, figures from the Directorate-General of Health analyzed by Agence France-Presse showed over 600 excess deaths between mid-June and the end of July.
