WHO links Europe heatwave to more than 1,300 excess deaths

Sunday, June 28, 2026Confirmed

Health Desk

What we know

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Sunday that more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since June 21 linked to the continent’s record early-summer heatwave, as temperatures again broke national marks in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

French health officials separately reported about 1,000 more deaths than expected since Wednesday, mostly among people aged 65 and older. Tedros called heat stress a “silent killer,” said European homes and schools were not built for these temperatures, and urged countries to implement heat-health action plans as the heat dome pushed east.

What's confirmed

WHO Tedros: 1,300+ excess deaths since June 21 linked to high temperatures in Europe (BBC/France 24/Euronews).
France: ~1,000 excess deaths since June 24; majority 65+; home deaths up ~40% (BBC/Euronews).
Germany provisional 41.7°C at Coschen (hottest-ever day third straight day); Czech Republic 41.1°C at Doksany; Poland all-time 40.5°C at Słubice (BBC/AFP).
AFP estimate: ~191 million people facing ≥35°C Sunday across Europe (France 24/The Hindu).

What's still developing

Consolidated national excess-mortality tallies as monitoring systems update.
Duration of the heat dome and further school, grid and emergency-service strain.

Sources

BBC — Europe’s heatwave linked to 1,300 deaths as Germany hits record 41.7C link
France 24 — More than 1,300 excess deaths linked to record-breaking Europe heatwave, WHO says link
Euronews — Europe sees more than 1,300 excess deaths amid brutal heatwave, WHO says link
The Hindu — More than 1,300 excess deaths recorded in Europe heatwave: WHO link