The 2026 heatwaves caused one of the highest excess mortality rates in Hungary

The summer of 2026 was marked by unprecedented heat, leading to over 50,000 deaths across 854 European cities. A study published in Nature Health indicates that this figure surpasses previous records from 2022 and 2003. Researchers analyzed temperature and mortality data to estimate heat-related deaths from June to August. The findings reveal that approximately 50,391 fatalities were attributed to high temperatures, with nearly one-third occurring during a heatwave from June 17 to July 1. The highest mortality rate was among those aged 85 and older, totaling around 22,500 deaths. The study only covered urban populations, suggesting the actual death toll could be higher. The data from this summer set a negative record, with previous summers in 2022 and 2003 also being deadly.