25 minutes agoEurope on alert, heat wave brings up death toll
Periskopi(an hour ago)
(an hour ago)A heat wave at the end of June that took temperatures to parts of Europe to record levels is believed to have caused more than 4,000 deaths in some Western European countries, according to national preliminary figures.
France recorded an increase of nearly 30% during the week that began on June 22nd at the peak of the country's record heat wave.
Belgium saw a 39% mortality increase, reaching 1,222 deaths between June 18th and June 29th.
Belgian authorities said this represents the highest number of daily deaths in the country since the first wave of COVID-19.
The Netherlands registered about 480 additional deaths in the week 22-28 June, with the highest impact on those 80 years of age and older, which corresponds to record temperatures approaching 40 °C.
Spain's Carlos III Health Institute reported at least 1,028 heat-related deaths, more than double the 407 deaths registered in June 2025.
France's National Public Health Agency, Santé publice France, has warned that the actual number of deaths is" -- possibly a subspecies".
While temperatures are expected to rise again, governments are now under pressure to react.
Belgium's Health Minister Frank Vandenbrouke commissioned the country's Youth Management Group to draft recommendations by the beginning of next week to strengthen readiness, Brussels Times reported.
Meanwhile, French opposition politicians criticised the government's response to extreme heat.
On Thursday, the Greens filed a no-confidence motion against the government of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, arguing that it had failed to prepare the country adequate for rising temperatures. /Periscope
