Heatwave-induced fatalities in Europe trebled this summer, according to a new research finding
Europe has experienced a devastating heatwave this summer, with around 24,400 people dying as a result of extreme temperatures in 854 cities. Climate change is responsible for 68% of the excess deaths, tripling the potential death toll.
The countries hardest hit by a single heatwave saw an estimated 950 heat deaths occur in temperatures up to 6°C above average. Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent, is facing a rising threat from heat, particularly to its rapidly ageing population.
The European capital cities which saw the most deaths per capita were Rome, Athens, and Bucharest. The British study on the summer of 2025 found that the highest number of heat-related deaths due to climate change in Europe were recorded in Rome, with 835 deaths, followed by Athens with 630 and Paris with 409.
Urban areas can be up to 10°C hotter than rural areas due to the urban heat island effect. Climate change, caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, increased temperatures in European cities by up to 3.6°C.
Older populations are affected the most by heat-related deaths, with more than 80% of the excess heat-related deaths occurring among people aged over 65. People over 85 made up more than 40% of the total heat-related deaths. By 2100, those over the age of 80 are expected to make up 15% of Europe’s population.
Heatwaves are silent killers, with the vast majority of heat-related deaths happening in homes and hospitals and often going unreported. Heat-health warning systems and action plans are well-developed across most regions in Europe, but the health burden associated with heat has remained consistently high in recent summers.
Dr Clair Barnes warns that a shift in summer heat of just a few degrees can be the difference between life and death for thousands of people. Dr Malcolm Mistry states that unless we urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation efforts are going to play a limited role in mitigating the risks of human-caused global warming.
Policies to adapt to heat, such as flexible work schedules, adjusting the school calendar, and increasing urban green spaces, could improve well-being and save lives. Urban policies that increase green spaces can provide a lifeline for lower-income communities living in hotter, denser housing.
The researchers warn that unless we take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the health burden associated with heat will continue to rise. The study found that climate change increased temperatures by up to 3.6°C, underscoring the urgency for action.
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