Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives in Europe, With 1,500 Linked to Climate Change: Study
A blistering heatwave that swept through parts of Western Europe late last month is estimated to have caused around 2,300 deaths across 12 major cities, according to a new scientific analysis released Wednesday. Notably, 1,500 of these deaths were directly linked to climate change, which intensified the severity of the extreme heat.
The rapid assessment, conducted by researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, focused on the 10-day stretch ending July 2—when temperatures soared beyond 40°C in parts of Spain and wildfires flared in southern France.
“Climate change has made it significantly hotter than it would have been, which in turn makes it a lot more dangerous,” said Dr. Ben Clarke, lead researcher at Imperial College.
The study used historical mortality records and epidemiological models to estimate how many deaths were caused or worsened by heat, including conditions like cardiovascular or respiratory failure. Cities studied included Madrid, Milan, London, and Barcelona, where temperatures were up to 4°C higher than they would have been without global warming.
Researchers emphasized that official figures often underreport heat-related deaths, as many are never classified directly under heat exposure. This analysis used peer-reviewed methods to provide faster estimates for urgent policy action.
The heatwave coincided with what the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed as Western Europe’s hottest June on record. Globally, it was the third-hottest June ever recorded, trailing only 2023 and 2024. “Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, more intense, and increasingly deadly in a warming world,” said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director at Copernicus.
A previous European study published in 2023 estimated that over 61,000 people died in Europe during heatwaves in 2022—raising alarm over public health systems and climate resilience in urban centres. With rising greenhouse gas emissions driving up global temperatures, scientists warn that such deadly extremes will only grow more common — unless rapid adaptation and emissions cuts are prioritized.
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