Heatwave Causes 263 Deaths London, 2,300 Across Europe

A recent heatwave in London is estimated to have caused around 263 excess deaths, with climate change responsible for approximately 171 of these, effectively tripling the mortality rate due to elevated temperatures. Across 12 major European cities, about 2,300 heat-related deaths occurred during the same period, with 1,500 attributed to human-induced climate change, highlighting the deadly impact of rising temperatures intensified by global warming. Cities hardest hit include Milan, Paris, Barcelona, and London, where vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, and outdoor workers were disproportionately affected. Scientists from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine emphasize that just a few degrees increase during heatwaves can be life-threatening and call for urgent upgrades in infrastructure, including schools, homes, and hospitals, to better cope with extreme heat. The heatwave was driven by a “heat dome” that trapped hot air over Europe, pushing temperatures to record highs and prompting ongoing health alerts in the UK. Experts warn that heatwaves are “silent killers” with many deaths occurring quietly in homes and hospitals, underscoring the under-recognized threat of climate change on public health.