3,700 excess deaths reported during heatwave in Europe

FE Team | Published: July 03, 2026 22:40:58

PARIS, July 03 (Agencies): France, the Netherlands and Belgium have recorded 3,700 excess deaths during the June heatwave that sent temperatures soaring across Europe, with authorities warning that the numbers are preliminary and could rise.
Experts have said the heatwave, which lasted from about June 20-28, was the worst recorded in Europe, causing disruption to power generation, damaging infrastructure and overwhelming healthcare systems. The extreme heat was almost certainly driven by climate change, scientists said.
There were 2,025 excess deaths recorded in France during the heatwave, with a particular increase in deaths among people aged over 45, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told local television on Friday.
Deaths at home rose 91 per cent between June 22-28 compared to the previous week, while deaths in nursing homes and healthcare facilities also increased, the country's public health authority said in a bulletin.
"Mortality will ... be higher than these initial figures suggest," the authority warned.
In Belgium, the Health Ministry said on Thursday it had registered excess mortality of about 1,200 deaths between June 18 and June 29, adding that 530 of the deaths were among people aged 85 or older. People aged under 65 accounted for 180 of the excess deaths.
"Such excess mortality during a heatwave is unprecedented in our country," the ministry said in a statement.
Authorities in the Netherlands said the heatwave led to about 480 excess deaths, mainly among the over 80s.
Meanwhile, millions of people across the US East Coast are braced for record July 04 temperatures over the holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned the heat index - a measure of how hot it feels based on heat and humidity - could reach as high as 115F in cities such as Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York.
The soaring temperatures are raising concerns as US President Donald Trump hosts a celebration marking America's 250th birthday and multiple World Cup matches take place outdoors.
The heatwave follows an unprecedented spell of early summer heat across Europe, with record highs across the continent.
The stifling heat that has been blasting the Midwest has now spread into the north-east and mid-Atlantic states. Extreme heat warnings continued on Thursday from the Midwest into the north-east.
"This level of rare and long-duration heat, with little or no overnight relief, affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration," the NWS said in a warning.
The 4 July holiday is traditionally characterised by lots of outdoors activities - barbecues in yards and on rooftops, community parades and fireworks at night.
"These are extremely dangerous conditions," said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
On Thursday, the city hit 100F (38C) degrees, its hottest day since 2012, and it could hit triple digits again on Friday.