Germany reports record 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer

Most were recorded in one week in late June when Germany baked in temperatures of over 40 deg C.

The heatwaves and drought have fuelled a historically hot summer in Europe, contributing to a spike in heat-related mortality in the worst-hit countries.

Multiple heatwaves pushed temperatures to record highs and fuelled wildfires across Germany this summer. Now that rain and cooler air have settled in, we're asking if we've reached the end of the scorching summer of 2026?

Heat deaths in Germany, France, Italy and Spain soar  euractiv.com

Germany registered around 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer as Europe struggled through a series of punishing heatwaves, worse than a previous record high in 2018, official data showed Thursday.

Germany's public health authority said around 9,600 of its 14,000 heat-related deaths occurred in one late June week. Spain's public health institute reported 4,458 such deaths from June 1 to August 19, the most for the period since 2022.

Germany's public health authority said around 9,600 of its 14,000 heat-related deaths occurred in one late June week. Spain's public health institute reported 4,458 such deaths from June 1 to August 19, the most for the period since 2022.