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In 2023, nearly 50,000 people in Europe died due to extreme heat, making it one of the deadliest years in the last decade, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. The Barcelona Institute for Global Health's annual report estimates that 47,690 deaths were linked to heat, with only 2022 having a higher toll at 60,000 deaths.
These numbers are estimates, with actual deaths ranging from 30,000 to over 66,000, and highlight how extreme heat continues to be a major threat, especially for older adults. The summer of 2023 was Europe's second hottest on record.
Heatwaves, worsened by climate change, are causing more deaths across Europe, even in countries like those in the Baltic region that aren't used to such high temperatures. The study estimates about 3,500 heat-related deaths in France, which is slightly lower than previous reports.
The study, covering 35 European countries, notes that the death toll could have been even higher without recent heatwave preparedness measures. Since the devastating 2003 heatwave that claimed around 70,000 lives, European countries have taken steps to reduce the impact of extreme heat. However, the study's authors stress that these efforts must be combined with stronger actions to combat climate change.
Meanwhile, the German Weather Service warns that the Eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus, will experience much hotter temperatures until early September. Daily highs are expected to often exceed 40°C, especially from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The World Meteorological Organization also predicts that Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and other nearby countries will face unusually high temperatures during this period. Heatwaves are likely, with temperatures frequently topping 40°C.
The DWD’s forecast suggests temperatures will be 1 to 4°C above normal, with the biggest increases in the Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean, and southern Europe. From August 17 to September 6, there's a high chance (60% to 90%) of even more intense heat.
[With information from AMPE and CNA]
