‘Warmest summer ever leads to record number of heat deaths in Europe, directly linked to human-caused climate change’

The summer of 2026 was likely the deadliest in Europe due to extreme heat, with over 50,000 additional deaths reported. Researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine linked these fatalities to climate change caused by human activities. The heatwave particularly affected older populations, but younger individuals also experienced significant mortality. In the Netherlands, around 1,200 more deaths than expected were recorded, with a notable impact on those under 64. The average temperature in 854 cities was 2.4 degrees higher than in previous decades, with 65% of the excess deaths attributed to climate change. Experts emphasize the need for better preparedness for future heatwaves.