Europe is witnessing one of its most severe early-summer heatwaves in recent years, with extreme temperatures linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths since June 21. The prolonged spell of heat has affected several countries, disrupted transport services and raised fresh concerns about climate resilience across the continent.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Europe is warming faster than any other continent. In a post on X, he said the region is heating at twice the global average and warned that existing infrastructure is not designed to cope with prolonged periods of extreme heat.
“Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the ‘once-in-a-generation’ heatwave is now occurring nearly annual,” he said.
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Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average. Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling.
Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the…— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 28, 2026
Temperatures rise across Europe
Several parts of Europe recorded temperatures close to or above 40 degrees Celsius in recent days. Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic experienced unusually high temperatures, while parts of France saw temperatures touching 44 degrees Celsius.
France has reported around 1,000 excess deaths linked to the heatwave that began on June 20. Public health authorities said most victims were aged 65 years and above, although the extreme weather affected people across age groups, reported Al Jazeera.
Spain also reported deaths linked to heatstroke, while Germany recorded several heat-related incidents. France additionally witnessed dozens of drowning incidents during the hot weather.
Why heatwaves can become deadly
Health experts say extreme heat places considerable stress on the human body. Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, a lecturer at the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, told Al Jazeera, “Heatwaves pose serious health dangers, primarily by causing heat stress, which occurs when the body struggles to regulate its temperature.
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This can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and in severe cases, heatstroke, a medical emergency.”
He further explained, “Heatstrokes cause symptoms like high body temperature, confusion, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, and can lead to organ failure or death if not treated urgently.”
Older adults, people with existing health conditions and those without access to cooling or hydration remain particularly vulnerable.
Climate change increasing heatwave risks
Experts say climate change has significantly increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
Laurie Parsons, reader in Human Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London, told Al Jazeera, “Heatwaves like we are seeing now are about 30 times more likely to happen than in the pre-climate change era.”
He added, “Exceptional heatwaves like the current one would previously have been a once-in-a-300-year event but now occur more often than once a decade.”
How countries are responding
European countries have started introducing measures to protect vulnerable populations. Paris and Denmark have expanded welfare checks for elderly residents, while Barcelona has opened hundreds of climate shelters.
Trade unions have also called for limits on working temperatures. Enrico Somaglia, general secretary of the European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Union, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera, “Climate change is here and is profoundly affecting the world of work, threatening jobs and incomes in our sectors. It demands immediate action, through both mitigation and adaptation strategies.”
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The debate over heat protection measures continues as governments face growing pressure to adapt to increasingly frequent heatwaves.
FAQs:
How many people have died in the Europe heatwave?
More than 1,300 excess deaths have been reported across Europe since June 21.
What is causing the Europe heatwave?
Experts say climate change and rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
