Heat killed over 50,000 people in Europe in summer 2026, making it deadliest on record

The summer of 2026 was the deadliest in Europe, with over 50,000 urban deaths linked to extreme heat, primarily due to climate change. This surpassed previous records from 2003 and 2022. A study by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine analyzed data from 854 urban areas across 30 countries, indicating that the actual death toll is likely higher. Countries like France and Germany reported significant heat-related fatalities during this period.