The World Health Organization has revealed that the severe heatwave occurring in Europe is linked to more than 1,300 deaths within just the past week.
On 28 June 2026, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), disclosed that the unprecedentedly rapid heatwave crisis at the start of Europe's summer has been connected to over 1,300 deaths since 21 June.
"Heat stress is often called a 'silent killer,' and homes, workplaces, and schools in Europe were not designed to cope with such high temperatures," Dr. Ghebreyesus stated in a message posted on X.
On Sunday morning, France's Ministry of Health revealed that since Wednesday (24 June), deaths related to the heatwave have exceeded initial estimates of about 1,000, mostly among people aged 65 and older, with deaths in care homes rising by as much as 40%.
"Europe is the continent experiencing the fastest temperature rise worldwide, warming at twice the global average," Dr. Ghebreyesus warned, adding that millions across the continent are "living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are closing, and electrical grids are under severe strain."
Preliminary data show that on Sunday, Germany experienced its third consecutive record hottest day after recording 41.7 degrees Celsius in Coschen, near the Polish border in eastern Brandenburg state.
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) reported that their country broke its highest temperature record for the second time in two days, measuring 41.1 degrees Celsius in Doksany, north of Prague. CHMI also forecasted temperatures peaking on Sunday before severe thunderstorms struck western areas later.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Poland's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) told AFP that Poland also broke its record high temperature, reaching 40.5 degrees Celsius in Slubice.
Dr. Ghebreyesus stated that climate change is the cause of this extreme weather, warning that Europe is warming at "twice the global average."
"This crisis is driven by climate change and global warming, with heatwaves once considered 'once in a generation' events now occurring almost every year," he said.
Dr. Ghebreyesus also called on European countries to "implement heat health action plans," as part of efforts to protect public health amid climate change.
. bbc