Over 1,300 excess deaths recorded in Europe heat wave: WHO chief

Surging fatalities

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday reported more than 1,300 excess deaths across Europe since June 21 as extreme heat continues to grip the continent, with around 150 million people currently living under extreme conditions. "More than 1300 excess deaths have been recorded since 21 June linked to high temperatures in Europe," Tedros said on social media platform X. He noted that Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, making it "the fastest-warming continent on Earth."

Accelerating crisis

The WHO chief warned that climate change is rendering once-rare heat events increasingly frequent across the region. "Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the 'once-in-a-generation' heat wave is now occurring nearly annually. We were warned," he said. Tedros described heat stress as a "silent killer," noting that European homes, workplaces and schools were not designed to withstand such high temperatures.

System strain

Tedros highlighted the immediate societal impacts of the extreme weather, stating that "hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling" across affected areas. He said the WHO is working with member states and partners to strengthen preparedness, prevention and health system responses to extreme heat. National health authorities are scrambling to adapt infrastructure ill-suited for sustained high temperatures as the crisis enters its second week.