Germany Records 99 Drowning Deaths in June Heatwave, Fewer Than in 2003

Ninety-nine people died by drowning in Germany in June, the highest monthly total in more than 20 years, German authorities said. The German lifeguarding federation reported that 40 of the victims were under 30 and more than 90 percent were male. Temperatures in parts of the country reached 41.7C during the month.

The federation noted that the country had not recorded this many drownings since the June 2003 heatwave, when 107 people died. The World Health Organization reported that more than 1,300 people across Europe died in the early summer period. In France, 131 people have died by drowning since 19 June, according to Sports Minister Marina Ferrari.

Germany’s Robert Koch Institute stated that at least 5,120 heat-related deaths occurred in the country this year, most of them in June, with about 4,270 of those victims aged 75 and older. France recorded more than 2,000 excess deaths during the June heatwave and 300 during late May heat, the government said.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower closed at 4pm on Saturday and Sunday because of forecast high temperatures.

The Louvre closed at 4pm on Friday and remained shut until Monday, while the Musée d’Orsay closed early from 5pm on Saturday until Wednesday. Twenty-four French departments, home to 22.2 million people, were placed under the maximum heat alert on Sunday by Météo-France. Organizers of the Tour de France shortened Sunday’s 185.5 km stage by 30 km because of the heat.

In Spain, a wildfire in Almería province killed at least 12 people. Officials said about 1,500 evacuees have been allowed to return home, with 600 returning late on Saturday and the remaining 1,000 to follow in stages. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit the area on Monday.