Europe’s record-breaking heatwave has killed more than 1,300 people since last week, according to the World Health Organisation, as extreme temperatures swept across the continent, disrupted public services and pushed several countries to record their hottest days in decades.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said the deaths were linked to high temperatures recorded across Europe since June 21, warning that climate change was making extreme heat events increasingly frequent and severe.
“Heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ — and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,” Tedros said.
He added that Europe was warming at twice the global average, urging governments to strengthen heat-health action plans to protect vulnerable populations.
The heatwave, which initially affected Western Europe, has moved eastwards, with countries including Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic experiencing record temperatures over the weekend.
