Europe Records 14,260 Excess Deaths in Late June Heat

Excess deaths across Europe reached 14,260 in the week ending June 28, 2026, according to EuroMOMO figures reported by The Independent. More than 12,000 of those deaths occurred among people age 65 and older, out of 84,583 total deaths recorded that week.

Rates were highest in France, Belgium and Germany. Germany’s Robert Koch Institute attributed 6,830 deaths to heat through early July, including 6,470 among people 65 and older.

The German Weather Service recorded a national high of 41.7 °C on June 28, the highest level since records began. Britain’s Met Office estimated 2,700 heat-related deaths in England and Wales during May and June heat waves, with about 2,200 occurring in late June.

National records were set with 35.1 °C in May and more than 37 °C in June. Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute estimated 937 excess-heat deaths in June. The month ranked as the country’s second-hottest on record, 3.2 °C above the monthly average, with a five-day heat wave that regularly surpassed 40 °C.

Belgium recorded 1,747 excess deaths from June 18 to July 1, according to Sciensano. The IRM weather institute measured 35.5 °C on June 26. The Netherlands public health service estimated 480 excess deaths during the same period, while the Dutch weather service logged a June record of 36.8 °C.

The 2003 European heat wave caused approximately 70,000 deaths. The Independent reported that the frequency and intensity of heat waves have increased due to climate change from the burning of coal, oil and gas.