Afgelopen zomer was mogelijk dodelijkste ooit door extreme hitte

Research published in Nature Health indicates that the summer of 2026 may have been one of the deadliest due to extreme heat, with an estimated 50,000 additional deaths. This marks a significant increase from 29,000 heat-related deaths in 2022. The study, conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine across 854 urban areas in 30 European countries, found that climate change was responsible for about two-thirds of these fatalities in 2026. Notably, younger individuals under 65 also suffered, with around 6,000 deaths attributed to heat. Experts warn that rising temperatures pose risks even to healthy individuals, urging for protective measures for vulnerable populations.