In late June, heatwaves swept across many European countries, causing immense suffering for local residents who did not have air conditioning, and posing health risks. According to a report by Reuters on July 13, the EuroMOMO monitoring network, supported by the European Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, released latest data showing that more than 10,000 excess deaths were reported in various European countries during the heatwave.
These data are compiled from mortality statistics from 27 European countries and cover the period from June 22 to 28. Lars Westergaard, chief physician at the Danish National Serum Institute, which operates EuroMOMO, said, “It is rare to see such a high rate of excess deaths during this time of year. This number is indeed very high.”
Although EuroMOMO’s data includes excess deaths caused by all reasons, Westgaard pointed out that during that week, there were no other known significant factors besides heatwaves that could have contributed to the surge in deaths.
He stated: "Besides extremely high temperatures, it's hard to explain such a high death rate by other factors."
July 12th, Paris, France. People enjoy the cool breeze under the misting trees. IC photo
Reports indicate that a heat wave hit several European countries such as France, Spain, and the UK at the end of June, causing power supply disruptions and forcing schools to close their doors. EuroMOMO did not release data on the excess deaths in individual countries, but statistics show that France and Belgium had the highest excess death rates in Europe during the last week of June.
Additionally, a study conducted jointly by Imperial College London in the UK, the Meteorological Office, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that during heatwaves in May and June, 2,700 people in England and Wales alone died from heat-related illnesses.
