JAKARTA - The heat wave in Europe is no longer just a news of extreme weather. High temperatures since the end of June have triggered a spike in deaths in a number of countries. Official figures are not complete, but the reported victims continue to increase.
Anadolu Agency, quoted Wednesday, July 1, reported that the World Health Organization or WHO recorded more than 1,300 excess deaths in Europe since June 21. Excess deaths mean the number of deaths that exceed normal figures in the same period.
The figure is likely not final. Not all European countries have issued official data. Additional reports continue to come in after the WHO statement was delivered.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said through the X platform that high temperatures have caused more than 1,300 excess deaths in Europe since June 21.
Spain was one of the countries hardest hit. The Spanish Ministry of Health's daily death monitoring system recorded 1,028 deaths in June related to high temperatures. The figure surpassed the previous June record, 1,000 deaths in 2017.
In France, public health bodies recorded around 1,000 more deaths than in previous months. The data is still early and is likely to increase.
The spike in deaths in France was evident in the hottest week. More than 1,200 deaths from all causes were recorded on June 24. On June 25 and 26, the number exceeded 1,400 deaths per day, according to a BFMTV report.
"For comparison, around 900 to 1,000 deaths per day were recorded in April and May," the French health agency said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency.
Italy also recorded casualties. WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri Kluge said five people died in 24 hours due to extreme heat. If combined with at least five other deaths reported the previous week, the heat-related casualties in Italy are estimated to have exceeded 10 people.
Belgium has not released official national figures. However, RTL reported that funeral homes began to record an increase in the number of deaths. RTBF also reported that about 22 deaths were recorded in the city of Liege during the heat wave. Authorities have not confirmed whether all deaths were directly related to high temperatures.
In Germany, Tagesschau reported that the number of deaths on the weekend of the heat reached about four times the normal condition. Cologne recorded 120 deaths. The Mettmann district recorded 45 deaths. The city of Leverkusen reported 19 deaths.
Separately, the German Life Saving Association said at least 26 people drowned while swimming over the weekend, according to daily Die Welt.
In Romania, extreme weather also claimed victims. A violent storm in the middle of high temperatures killed one person after a tree fell on the car he was in, according to Digi24.
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