Study: Summer Heatwaves in Europe Caused More Than 50,000 Deaths

Study: Summer Heatwaves in Europe Caused More Than 50,000 Deaths
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Record-breaking heatwaves across Europe last summer contributed to more than 50,000 deaths, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Health.

Researchers analyzed heat-related deaths across different age groups in 854 European cities during repeated heatwaves in June, July and August. Their findings estimated that 50,391 people died as a result of high temperatures, including 32,619 deaths attributed to excess heat linked to the burning of coal, oil and gas.

The death toll was 71% higher than the previous record for the deadliest summer, recorded in 2022, when 29,480 heat-related deaths were reported. That figure came from an earlier study by the same researchers, published earlier this month, examining summer heat mortality in the same European cities.

The authors warned that the latest estimate likely understates the true toll, as it excludes a deadly heatwave in May and covers only 854 cities, representing approximately 40% of Europe’s population.

The study also found that more than 32,000 of the deaths were associated with excess heat caused by human-induced climate change. Italy, France, Spain and Germany recorded the highest numbers of heat-related fatalities.