Europe heatwave linked to 3,700 excess deaths

At least 3,700 excess deaths have been recorded in France, Belgium and the Netherlands during last month's intense heatwave, authorities said, warning that the preliminary toll is expected to increase as more data becomes available.

The heatwave, which swept across much of Europe between June 20 and 28, sent temperatures soaring, disrupted power generation, damaged infrastructure and placed severe strain on healthcare systems. Scientists said the extreme weather was almost certainly driven by climate change.

France recorded the highest toll, with Health Minister Stephanie Rist saying 2,025 excess deaths had been registered during the heatwave, particularly among people aged over 45. According to France's public health authority, deaths at home increased by 91% between June 22 and 28 compared with the previous week, while fatalities in nursing homes and healthcare facilities also rose sharply.

The agency cautioned that "mortality will ... be higher than these initial figures suggest", indicating that the final death toll is likely to exceed current estimates.

Belgium reported about 1,200 excess deaths between June 18 and 29, with the Health Ministry describing the mortality figures as unprecedented during a heatwave. Of those deaths, 530 were among people aged 85 and above, while 180 involved people younger than 65. "Such excess mortality during a heatwave is unprecedented in our country," the ministry said in a statement.

Authorities in the Netherlands said the period of extreme heat resulted in around 480

excess deaths, most of them involving people aged over 80.

Climate experts have described the late June heatwave as one of the most severe Europe has experienced, warning that rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events across the continent.