2,877 deaths confirmed in UK as 'vital to prepare' alert issued

NewsUK NewsHealthThe figures are well above previous years11:10, 30 Jul 2026Updated 11:13, 30 Jul 2026The heat has put the NHS under pressure(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)The UK is on track this year for the highest number of deaths caused by heatwaves since current figures began, analysis suggests. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it “is likely that 2026 could see the highest number of heat-associated deaths on record”, surpassing the number in 2022 when the agency started studying them.‌An estimated 753 deaths were associated with the heatwave that ran from May 24-27, with a further 2,124 deaths linked to the heatwave between June 21 and 28. The total of 2,877 deaths is almost double the 1,504 across the UK heatwaves in June to August last year.‌“While these figures remain interim,