The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded across Europe since June 21 as an intense heatwave continues to grip the continent, prompting fresh warnings about the growing impact of climate change.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disclosed the figures on Sunday, describing heat stress as a “silent killer” and warning that Europe’s infrastructure is ill-equipped to cope with increasingly frequent extreme temperatures.
According to him, millions of people are living under dangerous heat conditions, with schools closing, electricity grids coming under pressure and health systems facing growing strain.
French health authorities reported about 1,000 excess deaths between Wednesday and Sunday alone, emphasizing the severity of the crisis.
Forecasts indicate that at least 191 million people across Europe are expected to experience temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius or higher, with Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland among the hardest-hit countries. More than 381 million people are projected to endure temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.
Tedros attributed the worsening heatwaves to climate change, noting that Europe is warming at twice the global average and that what were once considered “once-in-a-generation” events are now occurring almost every year.
“Heat stress is often called the silent killer, and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,” he said.
The WHO chief urged governments to strengthen preparedness by implementing heat-health action plans and improving health system responses to protect vulnerable populations from the growing risks associated with extreme weather.
