WHO Links Europe Heatwave To More Than 1,300 Excess Deaths Since June 21

Europe’s heatwave has been linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths since 21 June, the World Health Organization said as temperatures broke records across the continent.

“Over 1,300 excess deaths linked to Europe heatwave: WHO More than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded across Europe since June 21 linked to high temperatures, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Sunday”

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that “Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average,” and said “more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since 21 June linked to high temperatures in Europe.”

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In Germany, preliminary data showed the country’s hottest-ever day for the third consecutive day after 41.7C was recorded in the east, while the Czech Republic set its second temperature record in two days with 41.1C at Doksany north of Prague, according to CHMI.

France’s national health ministry said there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected in the country since Wednesday, and it said many of the extra fatalities were among those aged 65 and over after logging a 40% rise in the number of people dying at home.

The heatwave also triggered measures including the cancellation of the Dutch music festival Defqon.1 after an unprecedented code red warning for extreme heat, and in Paris officials banned drinking takeaway alcohol in public and cancelled the city’s pride march.

France’s public health agency reported around 1,000 excess deaths as an intense heatwave continued to attack Europe, and it said most fatalities involved older people while it expected the mortality rate to rise as more information was released about deaths in homes and residential care.

Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune that the impact of the heatwave could linger for up to 10 days, and she said, “The episode is not finished,” to broadcaster BFM.

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In Germany, extreme heat damaged infrastructure with roads cracking, while Denmark recorded its highest-ever temperature of 37°C, and residents in Copenhagen reported noticeable climate shifts, according to DW.

Germany also set a new national high of 41.7°C at Coschen near the Polish border, while the Czech Republic recorded 41.1°C in Doksany north of Prague, and CHMI said it expected the heat to peak on Sunday with storms forecast for western areas later.

The WHO urged European countries to “implement heat health action plans,” as part of a push to safeguard health in the face of climate change, and it said the agency was working with member states and partners to address health threats through preparedness, prevention and stronger health system responses.

The heatwave’s consequences extended beyond deaths, with wildfires sparked in Germany and Berlin police using water cannons to cool down crowds near Brandenburg Gate as ambulances responded to heat-related illnesses.

“More than 1,300 excess deaths linked to Europe’s heat wave since June 21, WHO chief says Europe is 'fastest-warming continent on Earth,' warming at twice the global average, with around 150 million people currently living under extreme heat, Ghebreyesus says Necva Tastan Sevinc 28 June 2026•Update: 28 June 2026 ISTANBUL More than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded across Europe since June 21 as extreme heat grips the continent, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Sunday”

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In France, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said at least 74 people had drowned since the beginning of the heatwave, with most deaths occurring in “unsupervised bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and ponds,” he told Le Parisien.

In Sweden, several people were injured when they were hit by lightning at the Tosselilla Sommarland park in Tomelilla, and Denmark recorded 1,156 lightning strikes by Sunday morning, according to DR.

In eastern Germany, a fire broke out in a large forest in Gohrischheide that was still contaminated with ammunition from World War II, complicating firefighting efforts, and in southwest Germany near the village of Traisen, firefighters had to temporarily stop after explosions took place and an ordnance disposal unit was brought in.

The WHO framed the stakes as an ongoing public health threat, warning that “Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' - and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,” and it said the “once-in-a-generation” heatwave is now occurring nearly every year.