Over 50,000 die in Europe from extreme heat
Over 50,000 people died across Europe during the summer of 2026 due to extreme heat, according to a study by Imperial College London's Grantham Institute, with two-thirds of deaths linked to human-induced climate change.
Consensus
- More than 50,000 people died in Europe during the summer of 2026 from extreme heat.
- The summer of 2026 was the deadliest on record for heat-related deaths in Europe.
- Two-thirds of the heat-related deaths were attributed to human-induced climate change.
- The study analyzed data from over 850 European cities.
- The heatwave began in May and lasted through the summer.
- Temperatures in several countries reached or exceeded 40°C.
- The study was conducted by the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London.
- The findings were reported in October 2026.
Points of divergence
- The report states that 50,391 heat-related excess deaths occurred in 854 cities. — interfax
- The study was to be published in the October issue of Nature Health. — tg_dwglavnoe
- Approximately 6,000 of the 50,000 deaths were people under 65 years old. — tg_dwglavnoe
- Germany reported around 16,000 heat-related deaths. — tg_dwglavnoe
- The number of deaths could be higher when including rural areas. — vesti
- The Guardian previously estimated at least 35,000 deaths, but only covered half of European countries. — vesti
- The World Weather Attribution organization stated the heatwave was the most extreme in recorded history. — vesti
- June and July were the hottest months in European history, with average daily temperatures 2.79°C above the 1991–2020 average. — vesti
- Copernicus reported temperature anomalies of 3–5°C above average in parts of Western Europe in July. — vesti
- The highest mortality rates were recorded in Malta, Italy, and Hungary. — interfax
- 883 of the recorded deaths were among people aged 20 to 44. — interfax
- Heat-related deaths in 2026 were nearly double those in 2024 and 2025. — interfax
Coverage (5 sources)
- About 50 thousand people died in summer due to abnormal heat in Europe — Интерфакс
- Scientists estimate 50 thousand deaths from abnormal heat in Europe — Коммерсантъ
- More than 50,000 people died in Europe due to heat - this was the worst summer in history — DW Главное
- More than 50 thousand people died in Europe due to extreme heat this summer, scientists calculated. — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- Media: due to abnormal heat in Europe, at least 50 thousand people died in summer — Вести