Reuters reported that at least 3,700 people died in June in a severe heatwave in France, Belgium and the Netherlands; officials say this is a preliminary figure and is likely to rise.
The heatwave that swept across large parts of Europe from June 20 to 28 was the most intense heatwave ever recorded on the continent, according to experts; scientists have also stressed that this situation is most likely the result of climate change.
The French Ministry of Public Health has announced that 2,025 deaths have been recorded during this period, most of which were people over the age of 45; the country’s health authority also reported a 91% increase in deaths at home during this period.
In Belgium, the Ministry of Health has announced that around 1,200 deaths have been recorded, a significant number of whom were elderly, and has described this level of mortality as “unprecedented.”
In the Netherlands, authorities have said that about 480 people have died as a result of the heat wave, most of whom were over 80 years old.
