Europe has recorded at least 35,000 excess deaths during four heatwaves this summer. The latest figures were released by Germany's national public health agency, Robert Koch Institute (RKI). According to RKI's provisional figures, the excess deaths in three of Europe's populated countries - Germany, France, and Spain - alone exceeded 25,000, though experts have warned that once August numbers arrive, the toll will rise significantly.
This summer, western Europe has smashed all-time record temperatures across hundreds of weather stations, with France witnessing its hottest national average day on record. Scientists attributed the record-breaking excess deaths to human-induced global heating, which is causing such extreme weather patterns to occur more frequently.
Germany recorded the highest death toll this summer, with data highlighting an estimated 14,000 heat-related deaths from April 6 to August 9, 2026. The agency stated that 9,600 people died during the single week of June 22-28. According to EU excess mortality data maintained since 2008, the only comparable spike occurred in July 2022.
Germany's health agency noted that excess deaths during normal summers are usually below 2,000, making this summer the worst on record for heat-related fatalities in the country, surpassing the previous record of 8,900 deaths in 2018.