At least 35,000 people are expected to die from the extreme heat in Europe this summer, according to experts, who say the real number could be even higher, reports infohub.kz.
Based on incomplete data analyzed by Guardian journalists, the record heat in Europe this summer has already caused 35,000 more deaths than would be expected under normal conditions.
According to preliminary national data, excess mortality in the three largest EU countries - Germany, France, and Spain - has already exceeded 25,000, and experts say the number will rise significantly once August data is included.
Germany has recorded the highest number of deaths. Late last week, it was announced that 14,000 people had died from the heat in the country. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported that 9,600 people died in the week from June 22 to 28 alone.
According to data from the mortality monitoring system of the Carlos III Health Institute, 4,947 people died from heat in Spain between May and mid-August, making 2026 the worst year in Spain's history for heat-related deaths, surpassing the 2022 figure of 4,520 deaths.
France, which has been hit by wildfires this summer, says final mortality figures will be released later. The country's national health agency reported last week that deaths from all causes between late May and July 22 totaled 7,300.