Record 50,000 people died from extreme heat in Europe's cities this summer, including 4,500 in the UK, study finds
Scientists at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine blame climate change for 32,619 of the 50,391 deaths. That toll is 71% higher than the previous worst summer, 2022. Nearly a third died in one brutal fortnight from June 17 to July 1. Malta, Italy and Hungary had the highest death rates, while Rome topped the capitals.
Lead author Clair Barnes: Europe's infrastructure 'is just not designed to cope'.
Environmental Audit Committee chair Toby Perkins MP demanded Britain 'rapidly decarbonise'.
About 44,000 victims were elderly, yet more than 800 were aged just 20 to 44.
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The GuardianHeat killed ‘staggering’ 50,000 people in Europe’s cities this summer, scientists warnGB NewsOver 50,000 people died of heat-related causes across Europe in 'deadliest Summer on record'Daily MailSummer 2026 was Europe's deadliest on recordThe TelegraphEurope’s record-breaking summer heat estimated to have killed 50,000 peopleThe IndependentEurope suffers deadliest summer on record with over 50,000 deaths linked to extreme weatherAPEurope's killer heat this summer claims 50,000 lives. Climate change blamed for two-thirds of deathsIrish IndependentEurope's killer summer heatwaves claimed 50,000 lives, study sayswww.thenationalnews.comEurope's heatwaves this summer caused 50,000 excess deaths, report suggests - www.thenationalnews.comDPA InternationalSummer 2026 Europe's deadliest on record for heat, study findswww.livingstonenterprise.netClimate change blamed for two-thirds of heat deaths in Europe - www.livingstonenterprise.netblue NewsEstimate: The 2026 heat wave was the deadliest on record in Europe - blue NewsPOLITICO.euThis summer’s heat was Europe’s deadliest on record, scientists say - POLITICO.eu
