Belgium’s public health institute, Sciensano, has published data on mortality rates recorded during periods of hot weather in the country during the summer.
According to the data, 2,035 more deaths than expected were recorded during the first heatwave, from June 18 to July 3. The mortality rate during this period was 48.8 percent above the expected level.
During the second heatwave, from July 4 to 17, 535 more deaths than expected occurred. The mortality rate during this period exceeded the expected level by 14.8 percent.
During the third heatwave, from July 28 to August 16, 365 more deaths than expected were also recorded. The mortality rate during this period was measured at 7 percent above the expected level.
The total number of excess deaths recorded in Belgium during the three periods of hot weather reached 2,935.
Highest daily death toll recorded on June 27
June 27 was the day with the highest number of deaths recorded in Belgium during the summer. A total of 641 deaths were recorded that day, putting the overall death toll 146.5 percent above the expected level.
Sciensano determines the number of excess deaths by comparing the number of deaths that occurred with the expected number of deaths, calculated on the basis of data from the previous five years.