Climate
Study estimates 50,000 heat-related deaths across European cities this summer
October 23, 2026 at 02:26 AM · Updated 13m ago
Coverage
3 reports · 1 in Arabic, 2 in English · over 5 hours
TGThe Guardian
Heat killed ‘staggering’ 50,000 people in Europe’s cities this summer, scientists warn
(opens the publisher’s site)
SNSky News Arabia
الحر يقتل 50 ألف شخص في أوروبا هذا الصيف
(opens the publisher’s site)
CNCNN
‘Worst on record’: Brutal summer heat wave killed more than 50,000 in Europe’s cities
(opens the publisher’s site)A new study estimates 50,391 people died of heat across 854 European cities this summer, the highest toll recorded in 26 years.
- The analysis, published in the journal Nature Health, found the death toll was 71% higher than the 29,480 heat-related deaths recorded in 2022.
- Lead author Clair Barnes of Imperial College London said about two-thirds of the deaths, over 32,600, are attributed to climate change driven by fossil fuel pollution.
- Barnes said western and northern Europe's infrastructure is not designed for the heat, with some cities recording temperatures 12°C above normal this summer.
- Italy, France, Spain and Germany recorded the highest heat-related death tolls among the cities studied.
- The study found the share of deaths attributable to climate change rose from about 40% in 2000 to 65% this summer.
- Malta, Italy and Hungary recorded the highest heat death rates, while Naples had the most deaths per capita, the study found.
- Scientists urged governments to cut fossil fuels, bolster health systems and make cities greener.