Europe's Heatwave Linked to Excess Deaths, WHO Reports
Poland recorded an all-time high temperature of 40.5°C on Sunday as the heatwave advanced eastward across Europe.
The continent is experiencing an unprecedented early summer heatwave that may be responsible for hundreds of excess deaths, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Temperature records were broken once again on Sunday in several countries including Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic as the extreme heat continued to spread east.
In a post on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded since 21 June,
"linked to high temperatures in Europe".
"Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' - and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,"he added.
On Sunday morning, France's national health ministry reported approximately 1,000 more deaths than expected since Wednesday.
The majority of these additional fatalities are among individuals aged 65 and over, with the agency noting a 40% increase in the number of people dying at home.
"Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average,"Tedros warned.
"Millions of people across the continent are currently living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling,"he added.
People cool off in the fountain in front of the Berlin Cathedral during the ongoing heatwave
Record Temperatures Across Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland
On Sunday, Germany experienced its hottest-ever day for the third consecutive day, with preliminary data showing a temperature of 41.7°C recorded in the eastern part of the country.
A weather station in Coschen, near the Polish border in eastern Brandenburg, registered 41.7°C at approximately 16:00 local time.
The Czech Republic set its second temperature record in two days, with the meteorological institute CHMI reporting 41.1°C at Doksany, north of Prague.
CHMI indicated that the heatwave was expected to peak on Sunday, with forecasts predicting rather heavy storms in western areas later in the day.
Poland also broke its all-time temperature record, reaching 40.5°C in the town of Slubice, according to a spokeswoman for the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), who spoke to the AFP news agency on Sunday.
Health Impacts and Climate Change Connection
Additional information and advice have been provided on how to keep homes cool during hot weather, the effects of extreme heat on the body, and considerations regarding school attendance and work during heatwaves.
Tedros emphasized that climate change is responsible for the extreme weather, warning that Europe is warming at
"twice the global average".
"Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the 'once-in-a-generation' heatwave is now occurring nearly annual,"he said.
He urged European countries to
"implement heat health action plans"as part of efforts to protect public health amid climate change challenges.
Further information on related subjects is available to provide context and guidance regarding the ongoing heatwave and its effects.
