Heatwave kills at least 14,000 in Europe

Preliminary mortality data and researcher estimates indicate that at least 14,000 people died in six European countries worst affected by a heatwave in late June, far exceeding normal death rates, Politico reports. During the second half of June, around 2,000 premature deaths were recorded in France, 1,740 in Belgium, 6,800 in Germany, and 480 in the Netherlands. Spain and the United Kingdom were also affected, with approximately 810 and 2,200 deaths respectively during the same period. The report suggests the deaths are linked to the heatwave, as researchers found no other cause or public health threat that could explain the spike in mortality. An extreme heatwave hit Europe from mid-June, with temperatures in several countries approaching, and in some areas exceeding, 40 degrees Celsius. Several European countries recorded new high-temperature records during the final week of June.