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- October 13, 202618°
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- October 13, 202618°
Europe swelters under heatwave: over 1,300 dead
Extreme heat that has gripped Europe since the end of June has killed at least 1,300 people. France recorded more than 1,000 excess deaths, while experts warn climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
Europe is battling an extreme heatwave that struck at the start of the summer. Thermometers hit 40 degrees Celsius in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland, while temperatures rose to 44 degrees Celsius in some towns in France. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that more than 1,300 "excess deaths" have been reported across the continent since June 21.
Deaths and affected countries
France's Public Health Agency reported 1,000 excess deaths during the heatwave that began on June 20. The majority of deaths occurred among people aged 65 and over, but the extreme heat was noted to affect the health of the entire population.
In Spain, a 90-year-old woman died of heatstroke at a nursing home near Bilbao, and a 68-year-old man also died of heatstroke in Almeria. At least seven people died in heatwave-related incidents in Germany. In Berlin, two people drowned in separate swimming accidents on Saturday; a group found an unresponsive man at the Jungfernheideteich lake. Across France, at least 40 people drowned.
Heat stress and health risks
Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, a lecturer at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, said heatwaves cause heat stress by challenging the body's ability to regulate temperature. He stated that this can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and in severe cases heatstroke, saying, "Heatstroke requires immediate medical attention with symptoms such as body temperature rising above 40 degrees Celsius, confusion, loss of consciousness, rapid pulse and breathing."
The expert stressed that heat stress can trigger fatal events such as heart attacks, strokes and respiratory failure, especially among the elderly, disabled and those without adequate cooling access.
Climate change fingerprints
Meteorologists said this month's extreme temperatures in Europe were created by a "heat dome", a large area of high pressure, and locked in place by a weather system known as an omega block. With the jet stream, which normally moves from west to east, disrupted, hot and stagnant air remains over the same region for days.
Dr. Laurie Parsons from Royal Holloway, University of London, noted that global average temperatures are about 1.25 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a figure that rose to 1.55 degrees Celsius in 2024. Parsons said, "As we see, the likelihood of heatwaves is about 30 times higher compared to before climate change. An exceptional heatwave like the current one, which used to occur once every 300 years in the past, now occurs more frequently than once a decade."
Consecutive measures from countries
Because summers in Europe have traditionally been mild, buildings were designed to retain heat. In recent years, however, governments have begun taking measures. Programs to monitor the welfare of the elderly have accelerated in Paris and Denmark, while Barcelona has opened more than 500 climate shelters. The European Trade Union Confederation last week called on the European Commission to adopt a maximum working-temperature law.
Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally party, announced she would launch a "major air conditioning plan" if she comes to power. However, scientists emphasize that air conditioners increase global warming because the electricity they consume is still largely based on fossil fuels. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), by 2050, 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are expected to come from cooling.
Experts call for sustainable solutions
Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said, "Cooling is essential for the health and well-being of billions of people. But current systems are extremely polluting and energy-intensive, making the extreme heat problem worse and creating a vicious cycle."
Joeri Rogelj from the Grantham Institute said relying solely on reactive measures is insufficient, stating, "The heatwaves we are experiencing come from rapidly increasing global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions from our economies. Therefore, we must address both the symptoms and the causes."
UNEP recommends countries adopt nature-based "passive cooling" strategies, construction that dissipates heat in urban planning, a rapid exit from fossil fuels, and strengthening early warning systems and health infrastructure.
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