Early heatwave leaves deadly toll, fuels widespread wildfires across Europe

PARIS, July 4 — The extreme heat wave that swept across Europe in late June triggered a public health crisis while sharply increasing the risk of wildfires.

Extremely high temperatures contributed to a surge in excess deaths across several countries, particularly among the elderly, while prolonged drought left soil and vegetation tinder-dry, bringing an earlier and destructive wildfire season.

According to preliminary data, France recorded at least 2,025 excess deaths during the week of June 22-28. People aged 65 and older accounted for 85 percent of confirmed heat-related deaths.

In Belgium, 1,222 excess deaths were recorded between June 18 and 29, representing a 39 percent increase in excess mortality.

Meanwhile, Spain’s daily mortality monitoring system attributed 1,029 excess deaths in June to unusually high temperatures, and the Netherlands reported around 480 excess deaths, most of them among older people.