Over 2,700 died in England and Wales heatwaves, study finds

Western Europe is still counting the dead from an unprecedented June heatwave that sent temperatures above 40°C and overwhelmed health systems across the continent. Belgium alone recorded 1,747 excess deaths between June 18 and July 1 — its deadliest heatwave episode since monitoring began in 2000 — while a new study released Monday estimates more than 2,700 people died from heat-related causes in England and Wales during the May and June heat events, with 42% of those deaths attributed to human-induced climate change.

A Continent in Crisis

Belgium's public health institute Sciensano reported that mortality during the heatwave period ran 48% above normal levels, with the deadliest single day on June 27, when 641 people died — more than double the usual number. Initial figures released on July 3 had placed Belgium's excess deaths at 1,222 between June 18 and 29, but the updated data covering through July 1 pushed the toll to 1,747.dw+2

Across the wider region, France recorded 2,025 excess deaths — a 29.1% increase — while the Netherlands reported around 480 additional deaths, mainly among older people in the country's south and east. A preliminary scientific estimate published by New Scientist suggested the late-June heatwave may have killed approximately 20,000 people across Europe in a single week.newscientist+1

Climate Change Fingerprints

A study by World Weather Attribution, published on June 26, concluded the heatwave would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change, which has made such extreme nighttime temperatures 100 times more likely than they were two decades ago. A similar June heatwave in 1976 would have been around 3.5°C cooler, the researchers found.cnn+1

Separately, research published Monday by Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated that about 550 people died during England's May heatwave (May 21-29) and nearly 2,200 during the June event (June 18-28). Climate change added 3-4°C to maximum temperatures and was responsible for about 42% of heat-related deaths across both periods.metoffice+1

No Respite in Sight

The Netherlands reactivated its National Heat Plan on July 12 for the second time this summer — it was previously in effect from June 18 to 29 — as temperatures were again forecast to exceed 30°C. The WHO has warned that "more deadly weeks may still lie ahead" for the European region.dutchnews+2